Mitigation of odor in cleaning machines and cleaning processes

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to malodor controlling bacteria and related methods and compositions for the control and prevention of malodor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority or the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 ofU.S. provisional application No. 61/443,055 filed Feb. 15, 2011, thecontents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to malodor inhibition incleaning machines, cleaning processes, and/or articles treated in thecleaning machine/process.

BACKGROUND

Malodor is a growing problem, particularly in laundry, with the changedhabits of lower temperature washing, front load wash machines that savewater but leave behind residual water between loads allowing bacterialbiofilms to flourish, line drying clothes to save energy rather thanappliance drying, and the increased popularity of manmade fabrics, suchas athletic wear, that appear to retain odors more than natural fabrics.

Major detergent manufacturers attempt to solve the problem withperfumes. These solutions, however, are not completely effective as theyare short-term. There is a need in the art for new solutions forcontrolling the problem of malodor.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides methods and composition for inhibitingmalodor in a cleaning machine, cleaning process or article treated(cleaned) in a cleaning machine or cleaning process, comprisingcontacting a cleaning machine, cleaning process and/or article treatedin the cleaning machine/process with at least one microorganism which isable to inhibit malodor caused by a malodor causing microorganism (e.g.,bacteria) present in the cleaning machine, cleaning process or articletreated in the cleaning machine or cleaning process. The malodor sourcemay be at least one malodor causing microorganism (e.g, bacteria) and/orthe at least one microorganism (e.g., bacteria) capable of causingmalodor.

The methods and compositions of the present invention may be used totreat an existing odor problem and/or as a preventative treatment toprevent a potential odor problem. The present invention may be used, forexample, to inhibit malodor in laundry washing machines/processes, drycleaning machines/processes, steam cleaning machines/processes, carpetcleaning machines/processes, dish washing machines/processes, and othercleaning machines/processes. In a particular aspect, the presentinvention provides methods for controlling odor in laundry by contactinga laundry machine, laundry washing process, laundry and/or launderedfabric with at least one microorganism which is able to inhibitproduction of malodor in laundry. The contacting can occur before,during, or after the laundry washing process.

The present invention also provides compositions for use in inhibitingmalodor in cleaning machines and cleaning processes. Compositions of thepresent invention comprise and at least one microorganism capable ofinhibiting malodor as an ingredient of a solid, semi-solid, gel, liquid,aerosol, emulsion, or powder composition. In one aspect, the compositionis adapted for application to the interior of a cleaning machine(washing machines, dry cleaning machines, steam cleaning machines,carpet cleaning machines, dish washing machines, and other cleaningmachines), and comprises a carrier and at least one microorganismcapable of inhibiting malodor in the cleaning machine. In anotheraspect, the composition is adapted for application directly to anarticle cleaned in the cleaning machine or cleaning process, such as, toa fabric (clean or uncleaned laundry) or other article cleaned in thecleaning machine or cleaning process. In a particular embodiment, thecompositions of the presention may be included as a component of adetergent, a fabric softener, or other cleaning composition.

The present invention also provides an apparatus containing thecompositions of the present invention for use in controlling malodor.The apparatus may be adapted for administering an effective dosage of atleast one microorganism which is able to inhibit malodor to the interiorof a washing machine or fabric for a defined period of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, “inhibiting” or “inhibit” malodor means preventing,reducing and/or substantially eliminating malodor caused by odor-causingmicroorganism (e.g., bacteria). Preventing, reducing, and/orsubstantially eliminating the odor may occur by one or more effectsassociated with the at least one microorganism (e.g., bacterial strain)of the invention. These effects include, but are not limited to,inhibition of growth of the odor-causing microorganims (e.g., bacterialspecies causing malodour), inhibition of the production or secretion ofodorous volatile substances by odor-causing microorganism (e.g.,bacteria), inhibition of the conversion of a chemical precursor into anodorous substance, consumption by the at least one microorganims of theodor volatiles as a food source, consumption by the at least onemicroorganism of the chemical precursor of the odorous substance as afood source, and/or by modification of the odorous substance, each uponcontact with the at least one microorganism or a substance derivedtherefrom. Particular embodiments are directed at inhibiting malodorcaused by odor-causing bacteria in a laundry machine, laundry processand/or laundered fabrics by treating a laundry machine, laundry processand/or laundered fabrics with at least one bacteria which is able toinhibit the malodor.

Malodor may be generated from a number of bacterial sources (includingcompounds derived or produced therefrom). Sources of malodor causingbacteria, include bacterium species selected from the group consistingof Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Acinetobacter junii, Bacillus subtilis,Janibacter melois, Sphingobium ummariense, Sphingomonas panni,Sphingomonadaceae, Actinobacter tandoii, Junibacter melonis,Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens subsp. flaccumfaciens, Flavobacteriumdenitrificans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Leclerciaadecarboxylata, Enterobacter sp., Cronobacter sakazakii, Bacillusmegaterium, Sphingobacterium faecium, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonasveronii, Microbacterium luteolum, Morganella morganii, Bacillus cereus,Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas-marginalis, Citrobacter sp., Escherichiacoli strain JCLys5, Roseomonas aquatic, Pseudomonas panipatensis,Brevibacillus subtilis subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus pumilus,Ralstonia eutropha, Caulobacter fusiformis, Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia, Rhodococcus opacus, Breviundimonas intermedia,Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and/or a combination thereof, and/orsubstances derived therefrom.

Any microorganism that is able to inhibit malodor may be used in thepresent invention. In particular embodiments, the microorganism is abacteria. Combinations of one or more of such microorganisms may also beused, such as, blends of two or more strains, three or more strains,four or more strains, five or more strains, etc. A microorganism that isable to inhibit malodor is a species (or strain) of a microorganism thathas action against the odor-causing organism or against the odor-causingcompound (e.g., volatile substance) produced or derived from theodor-causing organism so as to reduce or eliminate the perceived odorarising from such odor-causing organisms or odor-causing compound. Theaction to reduce or eliminate the perceived odor may include degradationof the odor-causing compound after secretion by the odor-causingorganism or prevention of the production of such odor-causing compound.In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a substancederived from a microorganism which has action against the odor-causingorganism or against the odor-causing compound (e.g., volatile substance)produced or derived from the odor-causing organism so as to reduce oreliminate the perceived odor arising from such odor-causing organisms orodor-causing compound. In still another embodiment, the presentinvention is directed to decreasing malodor, measurable at least by theresults of a human odor panel and/or Gas Chromatography-MassSpectrometer (GC-MS) analysis of known odor-causing compound(s) (e.g.,volatile substances), comprising treating articles, articles subjectedto a cleaning machine or cleaning process, and/or cleaning machines withat least one microorganism, or substance derived therefrom, that eitherdirectly or indirectly inhibits malodor, compared to untreated articles,untreated articles subjected to a cleaning machine or cleaning process,and/or untreated cleaning machines.

In one embodiment, the at least one microorganism is a species ofBacillus, for example, at least one species of Bacillus selected fromthe group consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens,Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus pumilus or acombination thereof. In yet another embodiment, the at least onemicroorganism is a species of Bacillus selected from the groupconsisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017, Bacillus atrophaeus strainPTA-7792; Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7546; Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547; Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainNRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014; and Bacilluslicheniformis strain NRRL B-50015, or a combination thereof. The atleast one strain of Bacillus may in a particular embodiment be selectedfrom the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016;Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainNRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilisstrain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; andBacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399 or a combination thereof.In a particular embodiment, the at least one strain of Bacillus isselected from the group consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7541; Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7543 Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainNRRL B-50706; and Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136 or a combinationthereof.

In another embodiment, the at least one microorganism is a microorganismthat is capable of using the at least one odiferous compound(s) as afood source. Such microorganism may be selected from the groupconsisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017, Bacillus atrophaeus strainPTA-7792; Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7546; Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547; Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainNRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014; and Bacilluslicheniformis strain NRRL B-50015, or a combination thereof. In anotherembodiment, the at least one microorganism capable of using the at leastone odiferous compound(s) as a food source is selected from the groupconsisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus atrophaeusstrain PTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018;Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRLB-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; and Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399 or a combination thereof. In yetanother embodiment, the at least one microorganism capable of using theat least one odiferous compound(s) as a food source is selected from thegroup consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillusatrophaeus strain PTA-7543 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546;Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50706; andBacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136 or a combination thereof.

In another aspect, the at least one microorganism includes strains thatare closely related to any of the above strains on the basis of 16S rDNAsequence identity. See Stackebrandt E, et al., “Report of the ad hoccommittee for the re-evaluation of the species definition inbacteriology,” Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 52(3):1043-7 (2002) regardinguse of 16S rDNA sequence identity for determining relatedness inbacteria. In an embodiment, the at least one strain is at least 95%identical to any of the above strains on the basis of 16S rDNA sequenceidentity, at least 96% identical to any of the above strains on thebasis of 16S rDNA sequence identity, at least 97% identical to any ofthe above strains on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence identity, at least98% to any of the above strains on the basis of 16S rDNA sequenceidentity, at least 98.5% identical to any of the above strains on thebasis of 16S rDNA sequence identity, at least 99% identical to any ofthe above strains on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence identity or at least99.5% to any of the above strains on the basis of 16S rDNA sequenceidentity.

Microorganisms which generate zones of inhibition (ZOIs) against keymalodor causing microorganisms of at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least5 mm, or at least 6 mm and above may be possible biocontrol agents and,therefore, candidate microorganisms for reducing malodor in accordancewith the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention includesa method of screening for prospective malodor inhibiting microorganismsby testing for the inhibition of species (e.g., using ZOI assays asdescribed in Example 3 below) selected from the genera consisting ofBacillus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Janibacter spp., Sphingobium spp.,Sphingomonas spp., Actinobacter spp., Junibacter spp., Curtobacteriumspp., Flavobacterium spp., Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia spp.,Leclercia spp., Enterobacter sp., Cronobacter spp., Sphingobacteriumspp., Pseudomonas spp., Microbacterium spp., Morganella spp.,Citrobacter spp., Roseomonas spp., Brevibacillus spp., Micrococcus spp.,Ralstonia spp., Caulobacter spp., Stenotrophomonas spp., Rhodococcusspp., Breviundimonas spp., Agrobacterium spp., or combinations thereof.The present invention further includes screening for prospective malodorinhibiting microorganism by testing for the inhibition of species (e.g.,using ZOI assays as described in Example 3 below) selected from thegroup consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Acinetobacter junii,Bacillus subtilis, Janibacter melois, Sphingobium ummariense,Sphingomonas panni, Sphingomonadaceae, Actinobacter tandoii, Junibactermelonis, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens subsp. flaccumfaciens,Flavobacterium denitrificans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichiacoli, Leclercia adecarboxylata, Enterobacter sp., Cronobacter sakazakii,Bacillus megaterium, Sphingobacterium faecium, Enterobacter cloacae,Pseudomonas veronii, Microbacterium luteolum, Morganella morganii,Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas-marginalis, Citrobactersp., Escherichia coli strain JCLys5, Roseomonas aquatic, Pseudomonaspanipatensis, Brevibacillus subtilis subtilis, Micrococcus luteus,Bacillus pumilus, Ralstonia eutropha, Caulobacter fusiformis,Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Rhodococcus opacus, Breviundimonasintermedia, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and/or a combination thereof,and/or substances derived therefrom. Also, the effect of these strainson production of the volatiles, prevention or reduction in conversion ofprecursor to such volatiles, or consumption of the volatiles canindicate usefulness in the compositions and methods of the invention.Further still, analyses of sole carbon source utilization study areeffective in determining whether microorganisms generally, and NZBstrains NRRL B-50136, NRRL B-50014, NRRL B-50015, NRRL B-50016, NRRLB-50017, NRRL B-50141, NRRL B-50018. PTA-7541, PTA-7792, PTA-7543,PTA-7544, PTA-7545, PTA-7546, PTA-7547, PTA-7549, PTA-7793, PTA-7790,PTA-7791, NRRL B-50706, and NRRL B-50399 more specifically, have thecapability to grow on and/or biodegrade odorous compounds associatedwith malodor in laundry. Further still, odor studies were effective indetermining whether microorganisms generally, and NZB strains NRRLB-50136, NRRL B-50014, NRRL B-50015, NRRL B-50016, NRRL B-50017, NRRLB-50141, NRRL B-50018. PTA-7541, PTA-7792, PTA-7543, PTA-7544, PTA-7545,PTA-7546, PTA-7547, PTA-7549, PTA-7793, PTA-7790, PTA-7791, NRRLB-50706, and NRRL B-50399 more specifically, inhibit and/or preventlaundry malodor.

The following biological material has been deposited under the terms ofthe Budapest Treaty at American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20108, USA, and the Microbial Genomicsand Bioprocessing Research Unit (NRRL) National Center for AgriculturalUtilization Research 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, Ill. 61604, USAand given the following accession number:

Identification Accession Number Date of Deposit Bacillus licheniformisNRRL B-50014* 14-Mar-2007 Bacillus licheniformis NRRL B-5001514-Mar-2007 Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-50016 14-Mar-2007 Bacillusamyloliquifaciens NRRL B-50017 14-Mar-2007 Bacillus amyloliquifaciensNRRL B-50141 03-Jun-2008 Bacillus amyloliquifaciens NRRL B-5001814-Mar-2007 Bacillus amyloliquifaciens PTA-7541** 20-Apr-2006 Bacillusamyloliquifaciens PTA-7792 18-Aug-2006 Bacillus amyloliquifaciensPTA-7543 20-Apr-2006 Bacillus amyloliquifaciens PTA-7544 20-Apr-2006Bacillus amyloliquifaciens PTA-7545 20-Apr-2006 Bacillusamyloliquifaciens PTA-7546 20-Apr-2006 Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilisPTA-7547 20-Apr-2006 Bacillus amyloliquifaciens PTA-7549 20-Apr-2006Bacillus amyloliquifaciens PTA-7793 18-Aug-2006 Bacillusamyloliquifaciens PTA-7790 18-Aug-2006 Bacillus amyloliquifaciensPTA-7791 18-Aug-2006 Bacillus amyloliquifaciens NRRL B-50399 16-Jun-2010Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis NRRL B-50136 30-May-2010 Bacillusamyloliquifaciens NRRL B-50706 02-Feb-2012 *NRRL indicates deposit withthe Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection, Peoria, IL **PTAindicates deposit with the American Type Culture Collection

The strain(s) has/have been deposited under conditions that assure thataccess to the culture will be available during the pendency of thispatent application to one determined by the Commissioner of Patents andTrademarks to be entitled thereto under 37 C.F.R. §1.14 and 35 U.S.C.§122. The deposit represents a pure culture of the deposited strain. Thedeposit is available as required by foreign patent laws in countrieswherein counterparts of the subject application or its progeny arefiled. However, it should be understood that the availability of adeposit does not constitute a license to practice the subject inventionin derogation of patent rights granted by governmental action.

The methods and compositions of the present invention may be applied tocleaning machines, cleaning processes, and articles treated (e.g.,cleaned) in the cleaning machines and processes. Cleaning machines andcleaning processes which may be treated include, without limitation, alaundry cleaning machine/process (e.g., in wash cycle), a dry cleaningmachine/process, a steam cleaning machine/process, a carpet cleaningmachine/process, or a dish washing machine/process. The method andcompositions of the present invention may be applied to a new machine ora machine following the use of such machine. The method and compositionsof the present invention may be applied to one or more process steps inthe cleaning processes (such as, in the wash cycle of laundering washingor dish washing machine).

The methods and compositions may also be applied directly to an articletreated (e.g., cleaned) in the cleaning machine or cleaning process,such as, to a laundry treated in the machine. The article may be treatedbefore cleaning, during the cleaning process, after the cleaningprocesses and any combination thereof. Examples of such articles to betreated include laundry, dishes, carpets, and fabrics.

The term “fabrics” encompasses all kind of fabrics, textiles, fibers,clothes garments, and fabrics used on, e.g., furniture and cars. Theterm “laundry” refers to already used and/or stained/soiled clothes inneed of washing, and is in contrast to newly manufactured fabrics.Washing laundry may be carried out in private households and incommercial and institutional facilities, such as, hospitals, prisons,uniform service companies. Washing of newly manufactured fabrics ismainly done in the textile industry. The fabric or laundry may be madefrom any suitable material. In preferred embodiments the fabrics and/orlaundry are made from cellulosic materials, synthetic materials and/orman-made fibers, or blends thereof. Examples of contemplated cellulosicmaterials include cotton, viscose, rayon, ramie, linen, lyocell (e.g.,TENCEL™, produced by Courtaulds Fibers), or blends thereof, or blends ofany of these fibers together with synthetic or man-made fibers (e.g.,polyester, polyamid, nylon) or other natural fibers such as wool andsilk., such as viscose/cotton blends, lyocell/cotton blends,viscose/wool blends, lyocell/wool blends, cotton/wool blends; flax(linen), ramie and other fabrics and/or laundry based on cellulosefibers, including all blends of cellulosic fibers with other fibers suchas wool, polyamide, acrylic and polyester fibers, e.g.,viscose/cotton/polyester blends, wool/cotton/polyester blends,flax/cotton blends etc. The fabric and/or laundry may also be asynthetic materials, e.g., consisting of essentially 100% polyester,polyamid, nylon, respectively. The term “wool,” means any commerciallyuseful animal hair product, for example, wool from sheep, camel, rabbit,goat, llama, and known as merino wool, Shetland wool, cashmere wool,alpaca wool, mohair etc. and includes wool fibers and animal hair. Themethod of the invention can be used on wool or animal hair material inthe form of top, fiber, yarn, or woven or knitted fabrics.

The treating may include contacting the odor-generating organism(s) orodor-generating compound(s) present in the cleaning machine or cleaningprocess with the at least one microorganism. Such contacting may includecontacting a surface of a machine with the at least one microorganismand/or contacting a process water or cleaning composition used in thecleaning machine with the at least one microorganism.

Contacting means contacting the odor-causing organism and/or odorcausing compound with living cells of the at least one microorganism. Inanother aspect, the invention also includes contacting the odor-causingorganism or odor-causing compound with one or more substances derivedfrom the at least one microorganism which has the ability to inhibitodor as described herein. Such substances include, but are not limitedto, cell-free supernatants, cell lysates, and/or extracts.

The at least one microorganism may be applied in any suitable form, suchas, as a spore or as vegetative cell. The ability to prepare spores andvegetative cells is considered routine in the art. See Tzeng, Y. M., Y.K. Rao, et al. (2008). “Effect of cultivation conditions on sporeproduction from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B128 and its antagonism toBotrytis elliptica.” Journal of Applied Microbiology 104(5): 1275-1282.

Compositions of the invention comprise at least one microorganism asdescribed herein. The microorganisms should be present in effectiveamounts. The terms “effective amount”, “effective concentration” or“effective dosage” are defined herein as the amount, concentration ordosage of one or more odor-controlling microbial strains that caninhibit the malodor caused by the odor causing organism or substancesderived therefrom on articles, articles subjected to a cleaning machineor cleaning process, and/or cleaning machines. The actual effectivedosage in absolute numbers depends on factors including: the odorcausing organisms(s) in question; whether the aim is prevention orreduction of malodor; other ingredients present in the composition, andalso the articles and/or cleaning machine in question. In an embodimentan effective dosage of bacteria, e.g., of the strains NRRL B-50141,PTA-7549, or PTA-7543, would be introduced to the detergent at a finalconcentration of 1×10³-1×10¹¹ CFU/g of detergent, with a preferred rangeof 1×10⁵-1×10⁶ CFU/g of detergent. Effective amounts can be determinedby one skilled in the art using routine assays.

The at least one microorganism of the invention and/or substancesderived therefrom can be used in combination with or as an ingredient ofa washing product, such as detergents and/or fabric softeners inparticular, including but not limited to aerosols, powders, solids,creams, etc., for use, e.g., in cleaning machines, cleaning processesand/or articles treated in cleaning machines or cleaning processes, suchas, fabrics. Formulations to be applied will include live biocontrolbacterial, e.g., spores or vegetative cells.

An aspect of the present invention also includes cleaning compositionsor compositions for use in cleaning machines or cleaning processes whichcomprise at least one microorganisms described herein and a carrier. Thecomposition may be in the form of a solid, semi-solid, gel, liquid,aerosol, emulsion, and/or powder. In an aspect, the compositioncomprises a carrier and at least one microorganism or a substancederived therefrom. In another aspect the composition comprises a carrierand at least one species of Bacillus or a substance derived therefrom.In another aspect, the composition comprises a carrier and at least onemicroorganism selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis,Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeusand Bacillus pumilus or a combination thereof. Most preferably, thespecies of Bacillus is Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens,Bacillus pumilus, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, thecomposition comprises a carrier and at least one microorganism selectedfrom the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016;Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7792; Bacillus atrophaeus strainPTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547;Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRLB-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strainNRRL B-50014; and Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015 or acombination thereof. More preferably, the at least one strain ofBacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilusstrain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; and Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain NRRL B-50399 or a combination thereof. Most preferably, the atleast one strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting ofBacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus atrophaeus strainPTA-7543 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainNRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50706; andBacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136 or a combination thereof. Thecompositions may in particular embodiments comprise blends of two ormore microorganisms, including at least two, at least three, at leastfour, and at least five of the microorganisms described herein.

The compositions of the present invention may in an embodiment have a pHin the range of 5-10 and may further include water and/or one or morepreservatives. For preservation of compositions comprising Bacillus sp.,for example, the following preservatives can be useful:chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (OMIT/MIT) (Kathon orothers); MIT (Neolone or others); 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT) (ifallowed in personal care); OMIT/MIT+EDTA; OMIT/MIT+BiodegradableChelator; MIT+EDTA; MIT+Biodegradable Chelator; BIT+EDTA;BIT+Biodegradable Chelator; Bronopol; 2-Phenoxyethanol;2-Phenoxyethanol+Biodegradable Chelator; Potassium sorbate (used at lowpH); Sodium benzoate (used at low pH); Salt; Glycerol; Propylene Glycol;Essential Oils; Dichlorobenzyl alcohol; Triclosan; Parabens; and1-Phenoxy-2-propanol and 2-Phenoxy-1-propanol. In an embodiment, thepreservative is 2-Phenoxyethanol; 2-Phenoxyethanol+BiodegradableChelator; Potassium Sorbate (used at low pH); Sodium Benzoate (used atlow pH); Salt; Glycerol; Propylene Glycol; or one of more EssentialOils—e.g., white mustard seed, tea tree, rosewood, or some citrus oils.In another embodiment, the preservative is 2-Phenoxyethanol;2-Phenoxyethanol+Biodegradable Chelator; or Glycerol. Accordingly, anembodiment of the present invention is directed to a compositioncomprising at least one microorganism which is able to inhibit malodorand a preservative selected from the group consisting ofchloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (OMIT/MIT) (Kathon orothers); MIT (Neolone or others); 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT) (ifallowed in personal care); OMIT/MIT+EDTA; OMIT/MIT+BiodegradableChelator; MIT+EDTA; MIT+Biodegradable Chelator; BIT+EDTA;BIT+Biodegradable Chelator; Bronopol; 2-Phenoxyethanol;2-Phenoxyethanol+Biodegradable Chelator; Potassium sorbate (used at lowpH); Sodium benzoate (used at low pH); Salt; Glycerol; Propylene Glycol;Essential Oils; Dichlorobenzyl alcohol; Triclosan; Parabens; and1-Phenoxy-2-propanol and 2-Phenoxy-1-propanol. In an embodiment, thepreservative is 2-Phenoxyethanol; 2-Phenoxyethanol+BiodegradableChelator; Potassium Sorbate (used at low pH); Sodium Benzoate (used atlow pH); Salt; Glycerol; Propylene Glycol; or one of more EssentialOils—e.g., white mustard seed, tea tree, rosewood, or some citrus oils,2-Phenoxyethanol; 2-Phenoxyethanol+Biodegradable Chelator; or Glycerol,and wherein the composition is a liquid, solid or gel composition.

In one preferred aspect, the invention provides a composition adaptedfor application to the interior of a cleaning machine (e.g., laundrywashing machine or dish washing machine). A composition of the inventionmay be in solid or liquid form. The composition may be a concentrate tobe diluted, rehydrated and/or dissolved in a solvent, including water,before use. The composition may also be a ready-to-use (in-use)composition. The composition may furthermore be an active cleaning baseingredient to be incorporated into other cleaning or washingcompositions.

In one embodiment, the composition is adapted for delivery to a washingmachine to prevent fouling by bacterial species capable of causinglaundry malodor. In another embodiment, the composition is furtheradapted for delivery to a washing machine by applications which include,but are not limited to, solid, semi-solid, gel, liquid, aerosol,emulsion, and/or powder applications alone and/or in combination withliquid, solid, semi-solid, aerosol, emulsion, and/or gel detergents,alone and/or in combination with liquid, solid, semi-solid, aerosol,emulsion, and/or gel fabric softeners, and/or alone and/or incombination with any other laundry and/or washing machine additive.

In one aspect, the invention provides a composition adapted forapplication to a fabric. The composition adapted for delivery to afabric may be in the form of a solid, semi-solid, gel, liquid, aerosol,emulsion, and/or powder, as a treatment for fabrics to prevent foulingby bacterial species capable of causing laundry malodor. In anotherembodiment, the composition is adapted for delivery to a fabric byapplications which include, but are not limited to, solid, semi-solid,gel, liquid, aerosol, emulsion, and/or powder applications alone and/orin combination with liquid, solid, semi-solid, aerosol, emulsion, and/orgel detergents, alone and/or in combination with liquid, solid,semi-solid, aerosol, emulsion, and/or gel fabric softeners, and/or aloneand/or in combination with any other laundry and/or washing machineadditive.

When used in a cleaning compositions, the composition may comprise oneor more additional cleaning composition ingredients, such as,surfactants and/or optionally other active ingredients, such as enzymes.

The surfactants may be non-ionic including semi-polar and/or anionicand/or cationic and/or zwitterionic. The surfactant(s) should cause aslittle harm to the bacteria culture's activity as possible. Thesurfactants may be present in the composition at a level of from, e.g.,0.01% to 60% by weight.

The composition may contain from about 0 to about 40% of an anionicsurfactant such as linear alkylbenzenesulfonate, alpha-olefinsulfonate,alkyl sulfate (fatty alcohol sulfate), alcohol ethoxysulfate, secondaryalkanesulfonate, alpha-sulfo fatty acid methyl ester, alkyl- oralkenylsuccinic acid or soap.

The composition usually contains from about 0 to about 40% of anon-ionic surfactant such as alcohol ethoxylate, nonylphenol ethoxylate,alkylpolyglycoside, alkyldimethylamineoxide, ethoxylated fatty acidmonoethanolamide, fatty acid monoethanolamide, polyhydroxy alkyl fattyacid amide, or N-acyl N-alkyl derivatives of glucosamine (“glucamides”).

Water soluble anionic surfactants are preferred. Examples of suitablewater soluble anionic surfactants include those selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl amido ethersulfates, alkyl aryl polyether sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfates, alkyl arylsulfonates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl amidesulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, benzene sulfonates, toluenesulfonates, xylene sulfonates, cumene sulfonates, alkyl benzenesulfonates, alkyl diphenyloxide sulfonate, alpha-olefin sulfonates,alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, lignin sulfonates,alkyl sulfosuccinates, ethoxylated sulfosuccinates, alkyl ethersulfosuccinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamate,alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, phosphate ester, alkyl etherphosphates, acyl sarconsinates, acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates,N-acyl-N-alkyltaurates, and alkyl carboxylates. Examples of preferredwater soluble anionic surfactants include sodium dodecyl sulfate (sodiumlauryl sulfate), sodium laureth sulfate (sodium lauryl ether sulfate),sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, disodium octyl sulfosuccinate, sodiumbutyl naphthalene sulfonate, ethoxylated sodium lauryl sulfosuccinate,sodium stearate, and sodium lauroyl sarcoside, or a mixture of two ormore. Examples of anionic surfactants are also mentioned in WO2007/076337 (see page 7, line 8 to page 9, line 3—which is herebyincorporated by reference).

The nonionic surfactant may preferably be a water insoluble nonionicsurfactant or a water soluble nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof.Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants are given below. Examples ofsuitable water insoluble nonionic surfactants include alkyl and aryl:glycerol ethers, glycol ethers, ethanolamides, sulfonylamides, alcohols,amides, alcohol ethoxylates, glycerol esters, glycol esters, ethoxylatesof glycerol ester and glycol esters, sugar-based alkyl polyglycosides,polyoxyethylenated fatty acids, alkanolamine condensates, alkanolamides,tertiary acetylenic glycols, polyoxyethylenated mercaptans, carboxylicacid esters, and polyoxyethylenated polyoxyproylene glycols. Alsoincluded are EO/PO block copolymers (EO is ethylene oxide, PO ispropylene oxide), EO polymers and copolymers, polyamines, andpolyvinylpyrrolidones. Water soluble nonionic surfactants typically havea higher ethylene oxide content in the hydrophilic region of thesurfactant in comparison to water insoluble nonionic surfactants. In anembodiment the water soluble nonionic surfactant is a linear primary, orsecondary or branched alcohol ethoxylate having the formula:RO(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)H, wherein R is the hydrocarbon chain length and n is theaverage number of moles of ethylene oxide. In a preferred embodiment Ris linear primary or branched secondary hydrocarbon chain length in therange from C9 to C16 and n ranges from 6 to 13. Especially preferred isthe alcohol ethoxylate where R is linear C9-C11 hydrocarbon chainlength, and n is 6. Examples of commercially available water solublenonionic alcohol ethoxylate surfactants include NEODOL™ 91-6, TOMADOL™91-6, or BIO-SOFT™ N23-6.5. Examples of non-ionic surfactants are alsomentioned in WO 2007/076337 (see page 9, line 5 to page 12, line14—which is hereby incorporated by reference).

Due to the cost of preparing effective multi-enzyme compositions, addingat least one microorganism (e.g, bacteria) as an active odor removingingredient may be a good and/or cost efficient alternative tocompositions comprising, e.g., mono-component enzymes. Microbialcultures (e.g., bacterial cultures, such as natural bacterial culturesor genetically modified bacterial cultures via classical and/or directedmutagenesis) can be used to supply enzymes in culture and produceenzymes, including on demand in response to the presence of certaincompounds. One or more microbial cultures can, among other things,produce one or more enzymes to produce a cleaning effect, to completelydegrade a compound and/or use the components and energy from theenzymatic action to produce more bacteria. A bacterial culture of theinvention may also advantageously be used to at least partly substituteenzymes in washing, removing odor, or cleaning compositions. In anembodiment the composition comprises from 0.1-90 wt-% culture,preferably 0.5-50 wt.-% culture, especially from 1-10 wt-% culture ofthe invention.

One or more enzymes may be present in a composition of the invention.Especially contemplated enzymes include proteases, alpha-amylases,cellulases, lipases, phospholipases, peroxidases/oxidases, pectatelyases, and mannanases, or mixtures thereof.

Suitable proteases include those of animal, vegetable or microbialorigin. Microbial origin is preferred. Chemically modified or proteinengineered mutants are included. The protease may be a serine proteaseor a metallo protease, preferably an alkaline microbial protease or atrypsin-like protease. Examples of alkaline proteases are subtilisins,especially those derived from Bacillus, e.g., subtilisin Novo,subtilisin Carlsberg, subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147 and subtilisin 168(described in WO 89/06279). Examples of trypsin-like proteases aretrypsin (e.g., of porcine or bovine origin) and the Fusarium proteasedescribed in WO 89/06270 and WO 94/25583. Examples of useful proteasesare the variants described in WO 92/19729, WO 98/20115, WO 98/20116, andWO 98/34946, especially the variants with substitutions in one or moreof the following positions: 27, 36, 57, 76, 87, 97, 101, 104, 120, 123,167, 170, 194, 206, 218, 222, 224, 235 and 274. Preferred commerciallyavailable protease enzymes include ALCALASE™, SAVINASE™, PRIMASE™,DURALASE™, DYRAZYM™, ESPERASE™, EVERLASE™, POLARZYME™ and KANNASE™,LIQUANASE™ (Novozymes A/S), MAXATASE™, MAXACAL™, MAXAPEM™, PROPERASE™,PURAFECT™, PURAFECT OxP™, FN2™, and FN3™ (Genencor International Inc.).

Suitable lipases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemicallymodified or protein engineered mutants are included. Examples of usefullipases include lipases from Humicola (synonym Thermomyces), e.g., fromH. lanuginosa (T. lanuginosus) as described in EP 258 068 and EP 305 216or from H. insolens as described in WO 96/13580, a Pseudomonas lipase,e.g., from P. alcaligenes or P. pseudoalcaligenes (EP 218 272), P.cepacia (EP 331 376), P. stutzeri (GB 1,372,034), P. fluorescens,Pseudomonas sp. strain SD 705 (WO 95/06720 and WO 96/27002), P.wisconsinensis (WO 96/12012), a Bacillus lipase, e.g., from B. subtilis(Dartois et al., 1993, Biochemica et Biophysica Acta 1131: 253-360), B.stearothermophilus (JP 64/744992) or B. pumilus (WO 91/16422). Otherexamples are lipase variants such as those described in WO 92/05249, WO94/01541, EP 407 225, EP 260 105, WO 95/35381, WO 96/00292, WO 95/30744,WO 94/25578, WO 95/14783, WO 95/22615, WO 97/04079 and WO 97/07202.Preferred commercially available lipase enzymes include LIPOLASE™ andLIPOLASE ULTRA™, LIPOZYME™, and LIPEX™ (Novozymes A/S).

Cutinases classified in EC 3.1.1.74 may also be used. Cutinases areenzymes which are able to degrade cutin. The cutinase used according tothe invention may be of any origin. Preferably cutinases are ofmicrobial origin, in particular of bacterial, of fungal or of yeastorigin. In a preferred embodiment, the cutinase is derived from a strainof Aspergillus, in particular Aspergillus oryzae, a strain ofAlternaria, in particular Alternaria brassiciola, a strain of Fusarium,in particular Fusarium solani, Fusarium solani pisi, Fusarium roseumculmorum, or Fusarium roseum sambucium, a strain of Helminthosporum, inparticular Helminthosporum sativum, a strain of Humicola, in particularHumicola insolens, a strain of Pseudomonas, in particular Pseudomonasmendocina, or Pseudomonas putida, a strain of Rhizoctonia, in particularRhizoctonia solani, a strain of Streptomyces, in particular Streptomycesscabies, or a strain of Ulocladium, in particular Ulocladiumconsortiale. In a most preferred embodiment the cutinase is derived froma strain of Humicola insolens, in particular the strain Humicolainsolens DSM 1800. Humicola insolens cutinase is described in WO96/13580 which is hereby incorporated by reference. The cutinase may bea variant, such as one of the variants disclosed in WO 00/34450 and WO01/92502, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Preferred cutinasevariants include variants listed in Example 2 of WO 01/92502, which ishereby specifically incorporated by reference. Preferred commercialcutinases include NOVOZYM™ 51032 (available from Novozymes A/S,Denmark).

Phospholipases are classified as EC 3.1.1.4 and/or EC 3.1.1.32. As usedherein, the term phospholipase is an enzyme which has activity towardsphospholipids. Phospholipids, such as lecithin or phosphatidylcholine,consist of glycerol esterified with two fatty acids in an outer (sn-1)and the middle (sn-2) positions and esterified with phosphoric acid inthe third position; the phosphoric acid, in turn, may be esterified toan amino-alcohol. Phospholipases are enzymes which participate in thehydrolysis of phospholipids. Several types of phospholipase activity canbe distinguished, including phospholipases A₁ and A₂ which hydrolyze onefatty acyl group (in the sn-1 and sn-2 position, respectively) to formlysophospholipid; and lysophospholipase (or phospholipase B) which canhydrolyze the remaining fatty acyl group in lysophospholipid.Phospholipase C and phospholipase D (phosphodiesterases) release diacylglycerol or phosphatidic acid respectively. The term phospholipaseincludes enzymes with phospholipase activity, e.g., phospholipase A (A₁or A₂), phospholipase B activity, phospholipase C activity orphospholipase D activity. The term “phospholipase A” used herein inconnection with an enzyme of the invention is intended to cover anenzyme with Phospholipase A₁ and/or Phospholipase A₂ activity. Thephospholipase activity may be provided by enzymes having otheractivities as well, such as, e.g., a lipase with phospholipase activity.The phospholipase activity may, e.g., be from a lipase withphospholipase side activity. In other embodiments of the invention thephospholipase enzyme activity is provided by an enzyme havingessentially only phospholipase activity and wherein the phospholipaseenzyme activity is not a side activity.

The phospholipase may be of any origin, e.g., of animal origin (such as,e.g., mammalian), e.g., from pancreas (e.g., bovine or porcinepancreas), or snake venom or bee venom. Preferably the phospholipase maybe of microbial origin, e.g., from filamentous fungi, yeast or bacteria,such as the genus or species Aspergillus, e.g., A. niger, Dictyostelium,e.g., D. discoideum; Mucor, e.g., M. javanicus, M. mucedo, M.subtilissimus; Neurospora, e.g., N. crassa; Rhizomucor, e.g., R.pusillus; Rhizopus, e.g., R. arrhizus, R. japonicus, R. stolonifer,Sclerotinia, e.g., S. libertiana; Trichophyton, e.g., T. rubrum;Whetzelinia, e.g., W. sclerotiorum; Bacillus, e.g., B. megaterium, B.subtilis; Citrobacter, e.g., C. freundii; Enterobacter, e.g., E.aerogenes, E. cloacae; Edwardsiella, E. tarda; Erwinia, e.g., E.herbicola; Escherichia, e.g., E. coli; Klebsiella, e.g., K. pneumoniae;Proteus, e.g., P. vulgaris; Providencia, e.g., P. stuartii; Salmonella,e.g., S. typhimurium; Serratia, e.g., S. liquefasciens, S. marcescens;Shigella, e.g., S. flexneri; Streptomyces, e.g., S. violeceoruber,Yersinia, e.g., Y. enterocolitica. Thus, the phospholipase may befungal, e.g., from the class Pyrenomycetes, such as the genus Fusarium,such as a strain of F. culmorum, F. heterosporum, F. solani, or a strainof F. oxysporum. The phospholipase may also be from a filamentous fungusstrain within the genus Aspergillus, such as a strain of Aspergillusawamori, Aspergillus foetidus, Aspergillus japonicus, Aspergillus nigeror Aspergillus oryzae. Preferred phospholipases are derived from astrain of Humicola, especially Humicola lanuginosa. The phospholipasemay be a variant, such as one of the variants disclosed in WO 00/32758,which are hereby incorporated by reference. Preferred phospholipasevariants include variants listed in Example 5 of WO 00/32758, which ishereby specifically incorporated by reference. In another preferredembodiment the phospholipase is one described in WO 04/111216,especially the variants listed in the table in Example 1.

In another preferred embodiment the phospholipase is derived from astrain of Fusarium, especially Fusarium oxysporum. The phospholipase maybe the one concerned in WO 98/026057 displayed in SEQ ID NO: 2 derivedfrom Fusarium oxysporum DSM 2672, or variants thereof. In a preferredembodiment of the invention the phospholipase is a phospholipase A₁ (EC.3.1.1.32). In another preferred embodiment of the invention thephospholipase is a phospholipase A₂ (EC.3.1.1.4.). Examples ofcommercial phospholipases include LECITASE™ and LECITASE™ ULTRA,YIELSMAX, or LIPOPAN F (available from Novozymes A/S, Denmark).

Suitable amylases (alpha and/or beta) include those of bacterial orfungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants areincluded. Amylases include, for example, alpha-amylases obtained fromBacillus, e.g., a special strain of B. licheniformis, described in moredetail in GB 1,296,839, or the Bacillus sp. strains disclosed in WO95/026397 or WO 00/060060. Examples of useful amylases are the variantsdescribed in WO 94/02597, WO 94/18314, WO 96/23873, WO 97/43424, WO01/066712, WO 02/010355, WO 02/031124 and WO 2006/002643 (whichreferences all incorporated by reference. Commercially availableamylases are DURAMYL™, TERMAMYL™, TERMAMYL ULTRA™, NATALASE™,STAINZYME™, STAINZYME ULTRA™, FUNGAMYL™ and BAN™ (Novozymes A/S),RAPIDASE™ and PURASTAR™ (from Genencor International Inc.).

Suitable cellulases include those of bacterial or fungal origin.Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included. Suitablecellulases include cellulases from the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas,Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, Acremonium, e.g., the fungal cellulasesproduced from Humicola insolens, Thielavia terrestris, Myceliophthorathermophila, and Fusarium oxysporum disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,435,307, U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,263, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,178, U.S. Pat.No. 5,776,757, WO 89/09259, WO 96/029397, and WO 98/012307.

Especially suitable cellulases are the alkaline or neutral cellulaseshaving color care benefits. Examples of such cellulases are cellulasesdescribed in EP 0 495 257, EP 0 531 372, WO 96/11262, WO 96/29397, WO98/08940. Other examples are cellulase variants such as those describedin WO 94/07998, EP 0 531 315, U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,046, U.S. Pat. No.5,686,593, U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,254, WO 95/24471, WO 98/12307 and WO1999/001544. Commercially available cellulases include CELLUZYME™,CELLUCLAST™, CAREZYME™, ENDOLASE™, RENOZYME™ (Novozymes A/S), CLAZINASE™and PURADAX HA™, ACCELERASE™ 1000 (Genencor International Inc.), andKAC-500(B)™ (Kao Corporation).

Suitable peroxidases/oxidases include those of plant, bacterial orfungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants areincluded. Examples of useful peroxidases include peroxidases fromCoprinus, e.g., from C. cinereus, and variants thereof as thosedescribed in WO 93/24618, WO 95/10602, and WO 98/15257. Commerciallyavailable peroxidases include Guardzyme™ and Novozym™ 51004 (NovozymesA/S).

Pectate lyases (also called polygalacturonate lyases) may also be used.Examples of pectate lyases include pectate lyases that have been clonedfrom different bacterial genera such as Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Klebsiellaand Xanthomonas, as well as from Bacillus subtilis (Nasser et al., 1993,FEBS Letts. 335:319-326) and Bacillus sp. YA-14 (Kim et al., 1994,Biosci. Biotech. Biochem. 58: 947-949). Purification of pectate lyaseswith maximum activity in the pH range of 8-10 produced by Bacilluspumilus (Dave and Vaughn, 1971, J. Bacteriol. 108: 166-174), B. polymyxa(Nagel and Vaughn, 1961, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 93: 344-352), B.stearothermophilus (Karbassi and Vaughn, 1980, Can. J. Microbiol. 26:377-384), Bacillus sp. (Hasegawa and Nagel, 1966, J. Food Sci. 31:838-845) and Bacillus sp. RK9 (Kelly and Fogarty, 1978, Can. J.Microbiol. 24: 1164-1172) have also been described. Any of the above, aswell as divalent cation-independent and/or thermostable pectate lyases,may be used in practicing the invention. In preferred embodiments, thepectate lyase comprises the amino acid sequence of a pectate lyasedisclosed in Heffron et al., 1995, Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 8:331-334 and Henrissat et al., 1995, Plant Physiol. 107: 963-976.Specifically contemplated pectate lyases are disclosed in WO 99/27083and WO 99/27084. Other specifically contemplated pectate lyases derivedfrom Bacillus licheniformis is disclosed as SEQ ID NO: 2 in U.S. Pat.No. 6,284,524 (which document is hereby incorporated by reference).Specifically contemplated pectate lyase variants are disclosed in WO02/006442, especially the variants disclosed in the Examples in WO02/006442 (which document is hereby incorporated by reference). Examplesof commercially available alkaline pectate lyases include BIOPREP™ andSCOURZYME™ L from Novozymes A/S, Denmark.

Examples of mannanases (EC 3.2.1.78) include mannanases of bacterial andfungal origin. In a specific embodiment the mannanase is derived from astrain of the filamentous fungus genus Aspergillus, preferablyAspergillus niger or Aspergillus aculeatus (WO 94/25576). WO 93/24622discloses a mannanase isolated from Trichoderma reesei. Mannanases havealso been isolated from several bacteria, including Bacillus organisms.For example, Talbot et al., 1990, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 56(11):3505-3510 describes a beta-mannanase derived from Bacillusstearothermophilus. Mendoza et al., 1994, World J. Microbiol. Biotech.10(5): 551-555 describes a beta-mannanase derived from Bacillussubtilis. JP-A-03047076 discloses a beta-mannanase derived from Bacillussp. JP-A-63056289 describes the production of an alkaline, thermostablebeta-mannanase. JP-A-63036775 relates to the Bacillus microorganism FERMP-8856 which produces beta-mannanase and beta-mannosidase. JP-A-08051975discloses alkaline beta-mannanases from alkalophilic Bacillus sp.AM-001. A purified mannanase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens isdisclosed in WO 97/11164. WO 91/18974 describes a hemicellulase such asa glucanase, xylanase or mannanase active. Contemplated are the alkalinefamily 5 and 26 mannanases derived from Bacillus agaradhaerens, Bacilluslicheniformis, Bacillus halodurans, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus sp., andHumicola insolens disclosed in WO 99/64619. Especially contemplated arethe Bacillus sp. mannanases concerned in the Examples in WO 99/64619which document is hereby incorporated by reference. Examples ofcommercially available mannanases include MANNAWAY™ available fromNovozymes A/S Denmark.

Enzymes may be stabilized using conventional stabilizing agents, e.g., apolyol such as propylene glycol or glycerol, a sugar or sugar alcohol,lactic acid, boric acid, or a boric acid derivative, e.g., an aromaticborate ester, or a phenyl boronic acid derivative such as 4-formylphenylboronic acid, and the composition may be formulated as described in e.g.WO 92/19709 and WO 92/19708.

In addition to surfactants and/or enzymes, other contemplatedingredients that may be included in the cleaning compositions includesalts, buffer salts, hydrotropes, preservatives, fillers, builders,complexing agents, polymers, stabilizers, perfumes, biostimulants ornutrients, dispersants, anti-microbial agents, fragrances, dyes, andbiocides, or combinations of one or more thereof.

The salts or buffer salts may be any known inorganic salt, but ispreferably a salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metalsalts of nitrates, acetates, chlorides, bromides, iodides, sulfates,hydroxides, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, (also called bicarbonates),phosphates, sulfides, and sulfites; ammonium salts of nitrates,acetates, chlorides, bromides, iodides, sulfates, hydroxides,carbonates, hydrogen carbonates (also called bicarbonates), phosphates,sulfides, and sulfites; alkaline earth metal salts of nitrates,chlorides, bromides, iodides, sulfates, sulfides, and hydrogencarbonates; manganese, iron, copper, and zinc salts of nitrates,acetates, chlorides, bromides, iodides, and sulfates; citrates andborates.

Especially contemplated are carbonates or bicarbonates, in particularselected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate and sodiumbicarbonate, or a mixture thereof. In a specific embodiment the ratiobetween sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate is between 1:10 to 10:1.

The total amount of salts and/or buffer salts is preferably between 0.8to 8 wt. %, preferably 1-5 wt. %, more preferably around 2 wt. % of thefinal in-use cleaning composition.

The term “hydrotrope” generally means a compound with the ability toincrease the solubilities, preferably aqueous solubilities, of certainslightly soluble organic compounds. Examples of hydrotropes includesodium xylene sulfonate (SXS) and sodium cumene sulfonate (SCS).

The composition may contain a metal chelating agent such as carbonates,bicarbonates, and sesquicarbonates.

The composition may comprise a solvent such as water or an organicsolvent such as isopropyl alcohol or a glycol ether.

The composition may also contain 0-65% of a builder or complexing agentsuch as zeolite, phosphates, such as diphosphate, triphosphate,phosphonate, carbonate, citrate, nitrilotriacetic acid,ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid,alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid, silicates, such as soluble silicates,metasilicates, layered silicates (e.g. SKS-6 from Hoechst).

The composition may comprise one or more polymers. Examples arecarboxymethylcellulose, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol),poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinylpyridine-N-oxide), poly(vinylimidazole),polycarboxylates such as polyacrylates, maleic/acrylic acid copolymersand lauryl methacrylate/acrylic acid copolymers.

In particular for detergent compositions, the composition may alsocontain other conventional detergent ingredients such as, e.g. fabricconditioners including clays, foam boosters, suds suppressors,anti-corrosion agents, soil-suspending agents, anti-soil redepositionagents, dyes, bactericides, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, tarnishinhibitors, or perfumes. In an embodiment the solid composition containsthe following constitutes: hydrotropes, anionic or nonionic surfactants,builders, carbonates for pH control and metal chelation, solvents,fillers, dye, perfume, and fluorescent whitening agent.

Essential oils may also be included, such as, Rosewood, Celery seed,Frankincense, Ylang ylang, Cedarwood, Lime, Orange, Petitgrain,Bergamot, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Myrrh, Coriander, Pumpkin,Cypress, Lemongrass, Palmarosa, Citronella, Carrot seed, Eucalyptus,Fennel, Wintergreen, Juniper, French lavender, Tasmanian lavender,Macadamia, Tea tree, Cajuput, Niaouli, Peppermint, Spearmint, Basil,Evening primrose, Marjoram, Oregano, Geranium, Aniseed, Bay, Pine, Blackpepper, Patchouli, Apricot kernel, Sweet almond, Rosemary, Sage, Clarysage, Sandalwood, Clove, Thyme, Vetiver, and Ginger. Additional guidanceregarding selection of appropriate essential oils may be found inHammer, K. A., et al., J. Applied Microbiol., 86:985-990 (1999),incorporated herein by reference for its disclosure of essentialoils/plant extracts and their antimicrobial activity.

The present invention is described, at least in part, by the followingnumbered paragraphs:

-   1. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by at least one malodor causing bacteria or at least    one bacteria capable of causing malodor, comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one microorganism    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by the at least one malodor causing bacteria or the at least one    bacteria capable of causing malodor.-   2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises contacting    the at least one malodor causing bacteria or at least one bacteria    capable of causing laundry malodor.-   3. The method of any of claims 1-2, wherein the method comprises    contacting an odor generating compound derived from the at least one    malodor causing bacteria or at least one bacteria capable of causing    odor.-   4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the contacting comprises    administering at least one microorganism to a laundry washing    machine.-   5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the contacting is done    during a washing process.-   6. The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein the contacting is done    to a new washing machine.-   7. The method of any of claims 1-6, wherein the contacting is done    to a washing machine following one or more uses of said washing    machine.-   8. The method of any of claims 1-7, wherein the at least one    microorganism is at least one species of Bacillus.-   9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one species of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis,    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus    licheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeus, and combinations thereof.-   10. The method of any of claims 8-9, wherein the at least one    species of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of    Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50017, Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7792; Bacillus    atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus    subtilis strain PTA-7547; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50706; and combinations thereof.-   11. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one    malodor causing bacteria or at least one bacteria capable of causing    malodor is at least one bacterial species selected from the group    consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Acinetobacter junii,    Bacillus subtilis, Janibacter melois, Sphingobium ummariense,    Sphingomonas panni, Sphingomonadaceae sp., Actinobacter tandoii,    Junibacter melonis, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Flavobacterium    denitrificans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli,    Leclercia adecarboxylata, Enterobacter sp., Cronobacter sakazakii,    Bacillus megaterium, Sphingobacterium faecium, Enterobacter cloacae,    Pseudomonas veronii, Microbacterium luteolum, Morganella morganii,    Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas-marginalis,    Citrobacter sp., Escherichia coli strain JCLys5, Roseomonas aquatic,    Pseudomonas panipatensis, Brevibacillus subtilis subtilis,    Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus pumilus, Ralstonia eutropha,    Caulobacter fusiformis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Rhodococcus    opacus, Breviundimonas intermedia, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and    combinations thereof.-   12. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus is capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens wherein the at least    one strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of    Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50141; and combinations thereof.-   13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one strain of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141;    Bacillus subtils strain NRRL B-50136; and combinations thereof.-   14. The method of any of claims 12-13, where the at least one strain    of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    subtils strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; and combinations thereof.-   15. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Acinetobacter junii comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Acinetobacter junii wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus    is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; and    combinations thereof.-   16. The method of claim 15, where the at least one strain of    Bacillus is Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399.-   17. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Bacillus subtilis comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Bacillus subtilis wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL    B-50136; Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; and    combinations thereof.-   18. The method of claim 17, where the at least one strain of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    NRRL B-50399; and combinations thereof.-   19. The method of any of claims 17-18, where the at least one strain    of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; and combinations thereof.-   20. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Janibacter melonis comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Janibacter melonis wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL    B-50136; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014; Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus    atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus subtilis strain    PTA-7547; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; and combinations thereof.-   21. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one strain of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis    strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; and    combinations thereof.-   22. The method of any of claims 20-21, where the at least one strain    of Bacillus is Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; and combinations thereof.-   23. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Sphingobium ummariense comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Sphingobium ummariense wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; and combinations thereof.-   24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one strain of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; and    combinations thereof.-   25. The method of any of claims 23-24, where the at least one strain    of Bacillus is Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549.-   26. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Sphingomonas panni comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Sphingomonas panni wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; and combinations thereof.-   27. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by bacteria from the family Sphingomonadaceae    comprising contacting a fabric or a laundry washing machine with at    least one strain of Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the    production of malodor caused by bacteria from the family    Sphingomonadaceae wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; and combinations thereof.-   28. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one strain of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; and combinations thereof.-   29. The method of any of claims 27-28, where the at least one strain    of Bacillus is Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541.-   30. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Acinetobacter tandoii comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Acinetobacter tandoii wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549.-   31. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens comprising    contacting a fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one    strain of Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the    production of malodor caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens    wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is selected from the    group consisting of Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7541; Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547; and combinations    thereof.-   32. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one strain of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus    strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541;    Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547; and combinations thereof.-   33. The method of any of claims 31-32, where the at least one strain    of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus subtilis strain    PTA-7547; and combinations thereof.-   34. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Flavobacterium denitrificans comprising contacting    a fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Flavobacterium denitrificans wherein the at least    one strain of Bacillus is Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136.-   35. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis wherein the at least    one strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of    Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus    subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain    NRRL B-50014; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and    combinations thereof.-   36. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one strain of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus    strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL    B-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus    licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations thereof.-   37. The method of any of claims 35-36, where the at least one strain    of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain    NRRL B-50015; and combinations thereof.-   38. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Escherichia coli comprising contacting a fabric or    a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Escherichia coli wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL    B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017 Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   39. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Leclercia adecarboxylata comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Leclercia adecarboxylata wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   40. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Enterobacter sp. comprising contacting a fabric or    a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Enterobacter sp. wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL    B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   41. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Cronobacter sakazakii comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Cronobacter sakazakii wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   42. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Bacillus megaterium comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Bacillus megaterium wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus    is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain    NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   43. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Sphingobacterium faecium comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Sphingobacterium faecium wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   44. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Enterobacter cloacae comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Enterobacter cloacae wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   45. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Pseudomonas veronii comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Pseudomonas veronii wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus    is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain    NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   46. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Microbacterium luteolum comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Microbacterium luteolum wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   47. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Morganella morganii comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Morganella morganii wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus    is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain    NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   48. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Bacillus cereus comprising contacting a fabric or    a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Bacillus cereus wherein the at least one strain of is selected    from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   49. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Pseudomonas sp. comprising contacting a fabric or    a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Pseudomonas sp. wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL    B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   50. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Pseudomonas-marginalis comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Pseudomonas-marginalis wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   51. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Citrobacter sp. comprising contacting a fabric or    a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Citrobacter sp. wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL    B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   52. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Escherichia coli strain JCLys5 comprising    contacting a fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one    strain of Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the    production of malodor caused by Escherichia coli strain JCLys5    wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is selected from the    group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus    subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus    licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014; Bacillus licheniformis strain    NRRL B-50015; and combinations thereof.-   53. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Roseomonas aquatic comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Roseomonas aquatic wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL    B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   54. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Pseudomonas panipatensis comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Pseudomonas panipatensis wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   55. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Brevibacillus subtilis subtilis comprising    contacting a fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one    strain of Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the    production of malodor caused by Brevibacillus subtilis subtilis    wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is selected from the    group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus    subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus    licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014; Bacillus licheniformis strain    NRRL B-50015; and combinations thereof.-   56. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Micrococcus luteus comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Micrococcus luteus wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL    B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   57. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Bacillus pumilus comprising contacting a fabric or    a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Bacillus pumilus wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL    B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   58. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Ralstonia eutropha comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Ralstonia eutropha wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL    B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   59. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Caulobacter fusiformis comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Caulobacter fusiformis wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   60. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia comprising contacting    a fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing or prevent the    production of malodor caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia wherein    the at least one strain of Bacillus is selected from the group    consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus    subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus    licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014; Bacillus licheniformis strain    NRRL B-50015; and combinations thereof.-   61. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Rhodococcus opacus comprising contacting a fabric    or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of Bacillus    capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor caused    by Rhodococcus opacus wherein the at least one strain of Bacillus is    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL    B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   62. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Breviundimonas intermedia comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Breviundimonas intermedia wherein the at least one    strain of is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus    strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   63. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens comprising contacting a    fabric or a laundry washing machine with at least one strain of    Bacillus capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens wherein the at least one    strain of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50017; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; and combinations    thereof.-   64. A composition adapted for application to the interior of a    washing machine comprising a carrier and at least one microorganism.-   65. The composition of claim 64, wherein the at least one    microorganism is at least one species of Bacillus.-   66. The composition of claim 65, wherein the at least one species of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis,    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus    licheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeus and combinations thereof.-   67. The composition of any of claims 65-66, wherein the at least one    species of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of    Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus atrophaeus strain    PTA-7792; Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544;    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus subtilis strain    PTA-7547; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus    subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus    licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014; Bacillus licheniformis strain    NRRL B-50015; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50706; and    combinations thereof.-   68. The composition of any of claims 64-67, wherein the composition    is a solid, semi-solid, gel, liquid, aerosol, emulsion, or powder.-   69. The composition of any of claims 64-68, which further comprises    a surfactant-   70. The composition of any of claims 64-69, which further comprises    one or more enzymes.-   71. The composition of any of claims 64-70, wherein the enzyme is    selected from the group consisting of proteases, alpha-amylases,    cellulases, lipases, peroxidases/oxidases, pectate lyases, and    mannanases, or mixtures thereof.-   72. The composition of any of claims 64-71, which further comprises    one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of    dispersants, stabilizers, anti-microbial agents, fragrances, dyes,    and biocides.-   73. The composition of any of claims 64-72, wherein the composition    is solid, semi-solid, gel, liquid, aerosol, emulsion, or powder    composition adapted for application as a detergent, fabric softener,    or any other laundry additive.-   74. The composition of any of claims 64-73, wherein the least one    microorganism is capable of inhibiting or preventing the production    of malodor caused by at least one malodor causing bacteria or at    least one bacteria capable of causing malodor.-   75. A composition adapted for application to a fabric comprising a    carrier containing at least one microorganism.-   76. The composition of claim 75, wherein the at least one    microorganism is at least one species of Bacillus or a substance    derived therefrom.-   77. The composition of claim 76, wherein the at least one species of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis,    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus    licheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeus, and combinations thereof.-   78. The composition of any of claims 76-77, wherein the at least one    species of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of    Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50017, Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7792; Bacillus    atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus    subtilis strain PTA-7547; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015 Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50706; and combinations thereof.-   79. The composition of any of claims 75-78, wherein the composition    is a solid, semi-solid, gel, liquid, aerosol, emulsion, or powder.-   80. The composition of any of claims 75-79, which further comprises    a surfactant-   81. The composition of any of claims 75-80, which further comprises    one or more enzymes.-   82. The composition of any of claims 75-81, wherein the enzyme is    selected from the group consisting of proteases, alpha-amylases,    cellulases, lipases, peroxidases/oxidases, pectate lyases, and    mannanases, or mixtures thereof.-   83. The composition of any of claims 75-82 which further comprises    one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of    dispersants, stabilizers, anti-microbial agents, fragrances, dyes,    and biocides.-   84. The composition of any of claims 75-83, wherein the composition    is solid, liquid, aerosol, or powder composition adapted for    application as a detergent, fabric softener, or any other laundry    additive.-   85. The composition of claim 75, wherein the least one microorganism    is capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor    caused by at least one malodor causing bacteria or at least one    bacteria capable of causing malodor.-   86. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundry    malodor caused by bacteria capable of producing odiferous compounds    comprising subjecting the odiferous compounds to at least one    microorganism capable of using the odiferous compound as a food    source.-   87. The method of claim 86, wherein the at least one microorganism    is at least one species of Bacillus.-   88. The method of claim 87, wherein the at least one species of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis,    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus    licheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeus; and combinations thereof.-   89. The method of any of claims 86-88, wherein the at least one    species of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of    Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50017, Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7792; Bacillus    atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus    subtilis strain PTA-7547; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50706; and combinations thereof.-   90. The method of any of claims 86-89, wherein the bacteria capable    of producing the odiferous compound is at least one bacterial    species selected from the group consisting of Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens, Acinetobacter junii, Bacillus subtilis,    Janibacter melois, Sphingobium ummariense, Sphingomonas panni,    Sphingomonadaceae sp., Actinobacter tandoii, Junibacter melonis,    Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Flavobacterium denitrificans,    Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Leclercia    adecarboxylata, Enterobacter sp., Cronobacter sakazakii, Bacillus    megaterium, Sphingobacterium faecium, Enterobacter cloacae,    Pseudomonas veronii, Microbacterium luteolum, Morganella morganii,    Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas-marginalis,    Citrobacter sp., Escherichia coli strain JCLys5, Roseomonas aquatic,    Pseudomonas panipatensis, Brevibacillus subtilis subtilis,    Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus pumilus, Ralstonia eutropha,    Caulobacter fusiformis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Rhodococcus    opacus, Breviundimonas intermedia, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and    combinations thereof.-   91. The method of any of claims 84-88, wherein the odiferous    compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting    of guaiacol, ethyl butyrate, cis-4-heptenal, 4-methyloctanoic acid,    p-anisaldehyde, isovaleric acid, and combinations thereof.-   92. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of malodor    caused by at least one malodor causing microorganism or at least one    microorganism capable of causing malodor, comprising contacting a    fabric or a washing machine with at least one non-odor causing    microorganism capable of inhibiting or preventing the production of    malodor caused by the at least one malodor causing microorganism or    the at least one microorganism capable of causing malodor.-   93. The method of claim 92, wherein the method comprises contacting    the at least one malodor causing microorganism or the at least one    microorganism capable of causing malodor capable of causing laundry    malodor.-   94. The method of any of claims 92-93, wherein the method comprises    contacting an odor generating compound derived from the at least one    malodor causing microorganism or the at least one microorganism    capable of causing malodor capable of causing laundry malodor.-   95. The method of any of claims 92-93, wherein the contacting    comprises administering the at least one non-odor causing    microorganism to a laundry washing machine.-   96. The method of any of claims 92-95, wherein the contacting is    done during a washing process.-   97. The method of any of claims 92-96, wherein the contacting is    done to a new washing machine.-   98. The method of any of claims 92-96, wherein the contacting is    done to a washing machine following one or more uses of said washing    machine.-   99. The method of any of claims 92-98, wherein the at least one    non-odor causing microorganism is at least one species of Bacillus.-   100. The method of claim 99, wherein the at least one species of    Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis,    Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus    licheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeus, and combinations thereof.-   101. The method of any of claims 99-100, wherein the at least one    species of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of    Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50017, Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7792; Bacillus    atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL    B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus    subtilis strain PTA-7547; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain    PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens    strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014;    Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; Bacillus    amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50706; and combinations thereof.-   102. The method of any of claims 92-101, wherein the at least one    malodor causing microorganism or the at least one microorganism    capable of causing malodor is at least one bacterial species    selected from the group consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens,    Acinetobacter junii, Bacillus subtilis, Janibacter melois,    Sphingobium ummariense, Sphingomonas panni, Sphingomonadaceae sp.,    Actinobacter tandoii, Junibacter melonis, Curtobacterium    flaccumfaciens, Flavobacterium denitrificans, Staphylococcus    epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Leclercia adecarboxylata,    Enterobacter sp., Cronobacter sakazakii, Bacillus megaterium,    Sphingobacterium faecium, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas veronii,    Microbacterium luteolum, Morganella morganii, Bacillus cereus,    Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas-marginalis, Citrobacter sp.,    Escherichia coli strain JCLys5, Roseomonas aquatic, Pseudomonas    panipatensis, Brevibacillus subtilis subtilis, Micrococcus luteus,    Bacillus pumilus, Ralstonia eutropha, Caulobacter fusiformis,    Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Rhodococcus opacus, Breviundimonas    intermedia, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and combinations thereof.

The following examples are included for illustrative purposes only andare not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Isolation of Organisms Growing in Fouled HouseholdWashing Machines

Household washing machines known to have malodor problems were swabbedfor bacterial or fungal populations. The swabs were processed bysubmerging the swab in Phosphate Buffer (Weber Scientific Cat#3127-29)and spreading dilutions onto Standards Methods and Potato Dextrose agars(Smith River Biologicals Cat#11-00450 and 11-00740C) with overnightincubations at 21° C. After successive transfers to obtain purity, ˜113bacterial/fungal isolates were obtained. Twenty-nine of these isolateswere identified by 16s rDNA, 500 bp analysis using Applied Biosystems3130 Genetic Analyzer Instrument and Geneious Pro 4.7.5 phylogeneticsanalysis or contracted through Midi Labs (Newark, Del.). The followingisolates were obtained and listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Strains of Odorigenic Microbes Isolated from a Household WashingMachine Identification of Strain Bacillus subtilis Bacillus subtilisBacillus subtilis Bacillus amyloliquifaciens Bacillus amyloliquifaciensBacillus amyloliquifaciens Bacillus amyloliquifaciens Bacillusamyloliquifaciens Bacillus amyloliquifaciens Sphingobium ummarienseUnknown Sphingomonadaceae Sphingomonas panni Sphingomonas ursinicolaAcinetobacter tandoii Acinetobacter junii Curtobacterium flaccumfaciensJanibacter melonis Unknown Pseudomonas Flavobacterium denitrificansMicrococcus luteus Bacillus pumilus Ralstonia eutropha Caulobacterfusiformis Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Micrococcus luteus Micrococcusluteus Rhodococcus opacus Breviundimonas intermedia Agrobacteriumtumefaciens

Example 2 Isolation of Odorigenic Bacteria from Human Soiled Fabrics

Fifty-four volunteers from across 10 States in the USA donated t-shirts(100% cotton or 100% polyester) and socks after engaging in athleticactivities. Swatches of soiled fabric (cut-out t-shirt armpits or socks)were incubated at 30° C. in sterile bottles for 7 days to allowdevelopment of malodor. A phosphate buffer (Weber ScientificCat#3127-29) was added to the bottles containing the swatches and thosebottles were placed into the tumble shaker and shaken for 30 minutes.The buffer was transferred to sterile 50 ml tubes and centrifuged for 10minutes at 5,000 rpm. Supernatant from the centrifugation was discardedand the pellet was resuspended in 1 ml of phosphate buffer. Totalbacterial counts were done by plating serial dilutions on StandardMethods agar plates (Smith River Biologicals, Ferrum, Va. Cat#11-00450).Plates were incubated at room temperature (approx. 26° C.). After 48hrs, colonies were counted and those colonies having a different colonymorphology were selected for and re-streaked in fresh medium. Purecultures from individual isolates were evaluated for malodor productionon Standard Methods agar plates by a sensory panel (7-10 panelists).

A total of 362 bacterial isolates were recovered from the textiles(T-shirts and socks) and 55 of these strains were evaluated by sensorypanel as malodor producers. Twenty-five strains were ranked as the worstmalodor producers and identified by 16s rDNA at MIDI Labs. The followingisolates were obtained and listed in Table 2.

TABLE 2 List of odorigenic bacteria isolated from human soiled fabricsIdentification of Strain Escherichia coli Leclercia adecarboxylataEnterobacter sp. Cronobacter sakazakii Enterobacter sp. Bacillusmegaterium Sphingobacterium faecium Enterobacter cloacae Pseudomonasveronii Microbacterium luteolum Morganella morganii Morganella morganiiMorganella morganii Bacillus cereus Pseudomonas sp. Pseudomonas sp.Pseudomonas-marginalis Leclercia adecarboxylata Citrobacter sp.Escherichia coli strain JCLys5 Bacillus megaterium Roseomonas aquaticPseudomonas panipatensis Brevibacillus subtilis subtilis Enterobactersp.

Example 3 Zone of Inhibition Experiment

Odorigenic isolates (see Tables 1 and 2) were tested in a zone ofinhibition Petri plate experiment against Bacillus spp. putativebiocontrol (odor control) candidates as follows: Bacillus candidates(NRRL B-50136, NRRL B-50015, NRRL B-50016, NRRL B-50141, NRRL B-50018,PTA-7541, PTA-7792, PTA-7543, PTA-7544, PTA-7545, PTA-7546, PTA-7547,PTA-7549, PTA-7793, PTA-7790, PTA-7791, NRRL B-50706, and NRRL B-50399)were grown separately in Plate Count broth (Difco DF0751-17-2, madeaccording to manufacturer's instructions) for 18 to 24 hours resultingin appx 10⁷ to 10⁸ cfu/ml culture. Odorigenic isolates from Tables 1 and2 were grown individually for 18 to 24 hours (appx 10⁸ to 10¹⁰ culture)in Plate Count broth and then streaked to form a lawn on the surface ofStandard Methods agar plates (Smith River Biologicals, Ferrum, Va.) Four5 mm holes were bored into the agar with a sterile stainless steel tube.50 μl of each Bacillus liquid culture were delivered into the holes (1strain per hole) and the plate was incubated for 18 to 48 hours at 35°C., agar side down. Inhibited odorigenic isolate lawn in proximity to ahole was scored as positive biocontrol by the Bacillus candidate. Thezone of inhibition was also measured in millimeters (mm) to allowsemi-quantitative assessment of control.

The plates were then examined for Zones of Clearing/Inhibition. If therewas no observable zone around the well, then a blank was recorded. Ifthere was an outgrowth of the test strains, a zone of inhibition couldnot be determined and an “OG” was recorded. If there was a zone aroundthe well, the diameter of the zone was recorded. “ND” means notdetermined.

Results are recorded in Tables 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D wherein “OG” indicatesout growth for the test strains. If ZOI could not be determined and ablank entry indicates negative ZOI results.

While results can be difficult to repeat with numerical exactitude,general trends may still be observed. All conditions should besubstantially identical in order to obtain similar results including:similar starting count for both undesirable strains and Bacillusstrains, incubation times need to be similar to ensure proper cellgrowth and/or metabolite production, dosing and incubation times need tobe nearly identical as a few hours can make a large difference.

TABLE 3A Results of Petri Plate Inhibition Assays of Washing MachineIsolates TEST STRAINS NRRL NRRL NRRL NRRL NRRL NRRL B- B- B- B- PTA-PTA- PTA- ODORIGENIC B-50136 B-50014 50015 50016 50141 50018 7541 77927543 B. AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS 15.47 10.26 9.62 ACINETOBACTER JUNII OG OG OGOG B. SUBTILIS JANIBACTER MELONIS 22.93 12.58 17.23 18.54 OG OG OG OGSPHINGOBIUM 13.82 17.88 17.08 UMMARIENSE B. SUBTILIS SPHINGOMONAS PANNI14.15 OG OG OG OG SPHINGOMONADACEAE OG OG 14.23 19.1 21.66 OG OGACUNETOBACTER OG OG OG OG OG OG TANDOII JANIBACTER MELONIS 17.18 10.4810.74 B. AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS 14.92 B. AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS 16.17CURTOBACTERIUM 9.44 14.96 OG 12.06 OG OG FLACCUMFACIENS B. SUBTILIS10.69 12 B. AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS 16.88 FLAVOBACTERIUM 9.42 OG OG OG OGDENITRIFICANS B. AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS 8.63 STAPHYLOCOCCUS 25.48 9.95 21.0410.15 27.9 23.01 EPIDERMIDIS RHODOCOCCUS 8.875 9.555 12.16 15.865 ND12.37 13.805 15.59 OPACUS BACILLUS PUMILUS 13.25 8.07 7.71 14.09 ND15.09 16.07 16.865 AGROBACTERIUM 13.56 ND 14.055 15.65 14.495TUMEFACIENS ML5-2 12.23 17.255 ND 19.73 19.185 18.295 BREVUNDIMONAS 9.6914.965 9.655 15.18 22.245 ND 21.88 21.77 21.24 INTERMEDIA MICROCOCCUSLUTEUS 14.255 11.285 12.185 14.73 20.24 ND 21.275 20.305 22.26MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS 22.49 17.61 18 27.82 28.005 ND 27.61 27.2 29.445MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS 15.04 11.11 10.1 14.885 23.1 ND 21.15 22.1 22.255RALSTONIA EUTROPHA ND CAULIBACTER 10.545 8.82 16.15 21.555 ND 20.40521.395 22.76 FUSIFORMIS

TABLE 3B Results of Petri Plate Inhibition Assays of Washing MachineIsolates TEST STRAINS NRRL NRRL PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA-B- B- ODORIGENIC 7544 7545 7546 7547 7549 7793 7790 7791 50399 50706 B.AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS 10.57 ND ACINETOBACTER JUNII OG OG OG OG 10.4 OG OG OG13.03 ND B. SUBTILIS ND JANIBACTER MELONIS OG OG OG OG OG OG OG OG OG NDSPHINGOBIUM 19.57 ND UMMARIENSE B. SUBTILIS 13.36 13.74 12.47 11.2418.26 10.5 ND SPHINGOMONAS PANNI OG OG OG OG OG OG OG OG OG NDSPHINGOMONADACEAE 20.39 OG OG OG OG OG OG OG OG ND ACUNETOBACTER OG OGOG OG 9.3 OG OG OG OG ND TANDOII JANIBACTER MELONIS 9.06 9.32 10.59 9.7911.28 ND B. AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS 11.16 ND B. AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS 6.91 OG OGOG ND CURTOBACTERIUM OG OG OG 14.96 OG OG OG OG OG ND FLACCUMFACIENS B.SUBTILIS 11.94 10.48 11.92 12.75 21.25 13.82 ND B. AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS15.3 15.88 ND FLAVOBACTERIUM OG OG OG OG OG OG OG OG OG ND DENITRIFICANSB. AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS ND STAPHYLOCOCCUS 29.77 30.87 30.69 26.46 29.1828.5 29.63 31.94 ND EPIDERMIDIS RHODOCOCCUS 7.165 14.13 15.465 15.42517.31 14.165 13.295 13.925 8.51 15.415 OPACUS BACILLUS PUMILUS 15.813.175 15.09 8.51 15.46 15.77 15.6 12.665 16.035 16.34 AGROBACTERIUM12.23 15.73 13.98 14.29 15.38 14.31 16.735 15.995 TUMEFACIENS ML5-217.045 21.21 14.58 9.855 18.42 19.02 20.185 18.3 19.225 19.245BREVUNDIMONAS 20.71 22.39 17.445 9.3 22.18 21.2 21.225 21.785 21.69522.395 INTERMEDIA MICROCOCCUS 20.765 20.01 19.62 18.7 21.425 19.1921.165 20.82 19.1 20.72 LUTEUS MICROCOCCUS 27.535 26.575 26.635 24.13526.79 24.655 27.59 26.865 25.39 27.845 LUTEUS MICROCOCCUS 22.19 21.80520.405 20.31 22.31 21.035 23.55 23.405 20.825 21.65 LUTEUS RALSTONIAEUTROPHA CAULIBACTER 21.605 21.435 18.35 8.67 20.14 19.175 22.45 22.1320.5 20.335 FUSIFORMIS

TABLE 3C Results of Petri Plate Inhibition Assays of Textile IsolatesTEST STRAINS NRRL NRRL NRRL NRRL NRRL NRRL PTA- PTA- PTA- ODORIGENICB-50136 B-50014 B-50015 B-50016 B-50141 B-50018 7541 7792 7543 BACILLUSCEREUS 9.33 8.2 11.525 ND 13.08 12.325 11.23 PSEUDOMONAS SP. 11.74511.375 9.06 ND 9.525 9.52 9.4 ENTEROBACTER 28.44 ND 25.845 24.975 27.865CLOACAE CITROBACTER SP. 11.47 ND 11.17 11.205 BACILLUS 10.505 9.81 10.1715.615 24.565 ND 24.665 24.875 26.245 MEGATERIUM ENTEROBACTER SP. 0 ND8.595 9.46 9.23 LECLERCIA 13.365 ND 12.735 13.825 13.4 ADECARBOXYLATALECLERCIA 8.76 ND 9.135 10.785 10.175 ADECARBOXYLATA PSEUDOMONAS SP.14.265 12.55 ND E. COLI 8.83 ND 9.42 9.75 9.4 PSEUDOMONAS 7.36 NDVERONII MICROBACTERIUM 8.51 8.01 7.46 ND 7.925 LUTEOLUM MORGANELLA11.255 ND 10.69 12.83 12.41 MORGANII SPHINGOBACTERIUM 13.485 19.69 ND19.26 20.48 20.62 FAECIUM ENTEROBACTER SP. 9.625 11.245 ND 10.585 12.33512.755 ROSEOMONAS 11.395 12.53 ND 13.66 16.47 12.86 AQUATIC E. COLISTRAIN 9.975 ND 10.63 10.75 12.055 JCLYS5 PSEUDOMONAS 8.75 ND 8.925 9.998.93 MARGINALIS MORGANELLA 9.03 ND 9.605 11.12 9.89 MORGANIIBREVIBACILLUS 10.56 ND SUBTILIS SUBTILIS CRONOBACTER 4.595 ND 9.53 11.7510.85 SAKAZAKII ENTEROBACTER SP. 8.845 11.87 ND 12.5 11.88 11.695MORGANELLA 9.59 ND 9.845 5.825 MORGANII BACILLUS 13.475 9.245 8.71511.61 21.65 ND 20.63 23.625 18.37 MEGATERIUM PSEUDOMONAS 5.18 8.42513.725 15.3 ND 11.125 PANIPATENSIS

TABLE 3D Results of Petri Plate Inhibition Assays of Textile IsolatesTEST STRAINS NRRL NRRL PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA- PTA- B- B-ODORIGENIC 7544 7545 7546 7547 7549 7793 7790 7791 50399 50706 BACILLUSCEREUS 12.52 12.67 11.115 8.225 11.77 12.495 11.78 12.6 11.205 12.72PSEUDOMONAS SP. 8.49 10.215 8.91 11.615 8.59 9.33 8.435 10.275 9.945ENTEROBACTER 27.71 26.6 27.83 25.49 20.925 23.99 22.75 24.13 27.395 9.66CLOACAE CITROBACTER SP. 12.18 11.98 11.145 11.635 10.32 10.405 10.54512.58 BACILLUS 21.4 25.615 24.155 12.615 23.875 24.915 25.915 22.07526.075 26.235 MEGATERIUM ENTEROBACTER SP. 9.065 9.235 11.69 10.025 9.219.43 9.635 8.995 LECLERCIA 13.515 13.775 10.64 12.875 13.335 11.80512.175 12.15 13.71 14.405 ADECARBOXYLATA LECLERCIA 7.915 12.16 8.44 9.9710.145 11.055 8.345 10.495 11.425 ADECARBOXYLATA PSEUDOMONAS SP. 15.12514.9 E. COLI 9.825 9.89 9.445 9.63 9.515 9.29 9.21 11.04 PSEUDOMONAS8.01 VERONII MICROBACTERIUM 8.2 8.305 LUTEOLUM MORGANELLA 11.685 12.3459.535 11.38 9.975 11.95 12.69 11.46 10.27 MORGANII SPHINGOBACTERIUM18.97 19.335 17.495 12.42 18.62 17.91 19.84 21.58 18.78 18.515 FAECIUMENTEROBACTER SP. 12.59 11.485 9.705 9.02 11.43 10.785 11.25 12.18 9.7910.985 ROSEOMONAS 13.885 18.35 15.29 10.02 16.35 16.995 17.465 13.97518.575 16.16 AQUATIC E. COLI STRAIN 11.435 10.91 9.935 8.96 11.78511.545 12.04 10.36 11.515 9.59 JCLYS5 PSEUDOMONAS 8.555 8.175 10.13 8.849.025 MARGINALIS MORGANELLA 9.96 10.6 9.105 10.635 10.9 12.29 10.42511.81 MORGANII BREVIBACILLUS 8.4 SUBTILIS SUBTILIS CRONOBACTER 11.49511.88 8.39 10.38 11.275 10.835 10.065 12.99 SAKAZAKII ENTEROBACTER SP.10.22 11.095 10.9 9.92 12.39 11.23 10.885 9.89 10.875 11.87 MORGANELLA9.255 9.32 9.815 9.99 10.835 9.21 9.765 8.505 MORGANII BACILLUS 21.52521.99 20.56 11.815 21.385 20.525 20.73 19.62 21.16 21.85 MEGATERIUMPSEUDOMONAS 10.61 14.45 9.905 13.84 12.95 11.575 11.125 14.32 13.375PANIPATENSIS

As reflected by tables 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, respectively, candidate teststrains with the potential to inhibit laundry malodor could bepre-screened by ZOI assays against isolated odorigenic species.

Example 4 Biodegradation of Laundry Malodor Molecules by BeneficialBacteria

A sole carbon source utilization study was performed to determinewhether strains NRRL B-50136, NRRL B-50014, NRRL B-50015, NRRL B-50016,NRRL B-50141, NRRL B-50018. PTA-7541, PTA-7792, PTA-7543, PTA-7544,PTA-7545, PTA-7546, PTA-7547, PTA-7549, PTA-7793, PTA-7790, PTA-7791,and NRRL B-50399 could grow on or biodegrade odorous compounds known tocause malodor in laundry (Munk, Signe et al., Microbial Survival andOdor in Laundry, Journal of Surfactants and Detergents. 4:4 (2001).

The 6 compounds, guaiacol (Sigma Cat#W253200-Sample-K), ethyl butyrate(Sigma Cat#W242705-Sample-K), cis-4-heptenal (SigmaCat#W328901-Sample-K), 4-methyloctanoic acid (SigmaCat#W357502-Sample-K), p-anisaldehyde (Sigma Cat# W267007-Sample), andisovaleric acid (Aldrich Cat#12, 954-2) were diluted to 2000 ppm inwater and one by one 20 μl was delivered to an individual well of aBecton Dickinson Oxygen Biosensor System microtiter plates (BD#353830).Minimal media (MM) was made as follows: NH₄Cl (0.8 g/L), MgSO₄ (0.2g/L), CaCl₂.2H₂O (0.01 g/L), Fe₂Na₂EDTA (0.015 g/L), KH₂PO₄ (3.06 g/L),MM Trace Minerals (1 ml). MM Trace Minerals was made as follows:FeSO₄.7H₂O (28 mg/L), ZnSO₄.7H₂O (140 mg/L), MnSO₄.H₂O (84 mg/L),CoCl₂.6H₂O (24 mg/L), CuSO₄.6H₂O (25 mg/L), NaMoO₄.2H₂O (24 mg/L). Thisminimal media was used as a diluent for the NZB Bacillus strains, adding10 μl of a Bacillus culture grown 18-24 hrs in Difco Plate Count Brothto 170ul of MM added to each microtiter well with odor compound. Themicrotiter plate was read in a Biotek FLx-8001 Fluorescent Plate Reader(Cat#FLx800-I) every 20 min for 99 hours with shaking at 10 secintervals before every read, incubation at ambient temperature, andexcitation/emission filters with specifications of 485/20 and 600/40,respectively. Fluorescence above background levels (ascertained fromcontrol wells with no odor molecule or carbon of any kind added) wasdeemed positive for growth and biodegradation on the odor molecule. NRRLB-50016, PTA-7546 and PTA-7790 did not utilize any of the odorouscompounds. NRRL B-50015 did not grow. All compounds were utilized by atleast 1 and at most 9 Bacillus strains while 4-methyloctanoic acid wasutilized by the most. Results are recorded in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Results of Sole Carbon Source Utilization Study OdoriferousCompound 4- Test/Bacillus Ethyl- cis-4- Methyloctanoic p- IsovalericStrain(s) Guaiacol Butyrate Heptenal Acid Anisaldehyde Acid # NRRL B- +− − − − − 1 50136 NRRL B- − − + − − − 1 50014 NRRL B- DNG DNG DNG DNGDNG DNG 0 50015 NRRL B- − − − − − − 0 50016 NRRL B- − − + − − − 1 50141NRRL B- + − + − − − 2 50018 PTA-7541 + + − + − − 3 PTA-7792 + − + − + −3 PTA-7543 + − − + − − 2 PTA-7544 − − + − − − 1 PTA-7545 − − − + − + 2PTA-7546 − − − − − − 0 PTA-7547 − + + + − − 3 PTA-7549 − − − + − + 2PTA-7793 + − + + − − 3 PTA-7790 − − − − − − 0 PTA-7791 − − + + − − 2NRRL B- − − + − − − 1 50399 # 6 2 9 7 1 2

Wherein “DNG” indicates the strain did not grow at the inoculum stage.

As reflected in Table 4, test strains were able to biodegrade the abovereferenced odoriferous compounds. Guaiacol was biodegraded by 6 teststrains, ethyl butyrate was biodegraded by 2 test strains, c is4-heptenal was biodegraded by 9 strains, 4-methyloctanoic acid wasbiodegraded by 7 strains, p-anisaldehyde was bio degraded by 1 strain,and isovaleric acid was degraded by 2 strains. Of the test strainssubjected to the sole carbon source utilization study, 4 test strainswere able to biodegrade 3 odiferous compounds, 5 test strains were ableto biodegrade 2 odiferous compounds, 5 test strains were able tobiodegrade a single odiferous compound, and 4 test strains were unableto biodegrade any of the odiferous compounds used in the study.

Example 5 Odor Mitigation on Post-Washed Textiles by Bacillus

Bacterial strains and culture conditions: Odor controlling Bacillusstrains (NRRL B-50141, PTA-7543, PTA-7549) and the odorigenic strains(Cronobacter sakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, andMicrobacterium luteolum) (see Table 2) were isolated and maintained onStandard Methods agar plates (Smith River Biologicals, Ferrum, Va.Cat#11-00450). In experiments where textiles were inoculated, the odorcontrolling strains and the odorigenic strains were first grown inLuria-Bertani (LB) medium (Difco™ Cat#241420) to ensure growth underoptimal conditions. After observing optimal growth in the LB media, theodor controlling bacterial strains and the odorigenic strains were grownin a second minimal medium (i.e., Glutamate-SBL) to mimic conditions ina washing machine. The Glutamate-SBL medium contained the followingnutrients (I⁻¹): 1.9 g SBL2004 (WFK Cat#10996), 2.0 g L-glutamic acid(monosodium salt), 0.5 g KH₂PO₄, 0.2 g NaCl and 0.2 g MgSO₄7H₂O. The pHof MG medium was adjusted to 7.0 with 3 M NaOH prior to autoclaving.

Textiles pre-washing: Standard textiles from the Cleaning TechnologyInstitute in Germany (WFK) cotton 10A (Order code 10000) and polyester30A (Order code 30000) were cut in swatches of 2.54 cm×2.54 cm. Theswatches were pre-washed five times prior to the experiments using acommercial detergent solution according to the label instructions.

Textiles washing: The washing process was carried out in 50 ml baffledflasks using 3.2 g of clean swatches (0.2 g textile/ml detergentsolution) with 16 ml of detergent solution and 0.03 g SBL2004 soilballasts (WFK) and covered with aluminum foil. Flasks were incubated at30° C. with shaking (250 rpm) for 30 minutes on an orbital laboratoryshaker (New Brunswick Innova 2300 Shaker). The washing solution wasremoved and the swatches were squeezed by hand to eliminate excesssolution. A rinse was performed with 16 ml of deionized water shakingfor 10 minutes, this was repeated twice. After the final rinse, theswatches were squeezed by hand, and under sterile conditions, to removethe excess of water and placed on clean pads (PIG High-visibilityMatPads Cat# MATT605, New PIG) for drying at room temperature.

Bacterial inocula preparation: Gram positive odor controlling Bacillusstrains (NRRL B-50141, PTA-7543, PTA-7549) and the following Gramnegative odorigenic bacteria isolated from soiled clothes (Cronobactersakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, andMicrobacterium luteolum) were cultivated on SMA medium at 30° C.overnight. A single colony from each of the odor controlling Bacillusstrains (NRRL B-50141, PTA-7543, PTA-7549) and the odorigenic strains(Cronobacter sakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, andMicrobacterium luteolum) were inoculated in sterile tubes containing 4ml LB broth, and incubated at 30° C. for 15 hours at 250 rpm. Afterincubation, the odor controlling Bacillus strains (NRRL B-50141,PTA-7543, PTA-7549) and the odorigenic strains (Cronobacter sakazakii;Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, and Microbacteriumluteolum) were diluted 1:100 (equivalent to 10³ CFU per ml).

Following dilution, the odorigenic strains (Cronobacter sakazakii;Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, and Microbacteriumluteolum) were combined to prepare an odorigenic bacterial mix. Theodorigenic bacterial mix was prepared by mixing equal volumes ofbacterial suspension from each of these odorigenic strains into asterile tube. The odor controlling Bacillus suspensions (i.e., NRRLB-50141, PTA-7543, PTA-7549) and the odorigenic bacterial mixture ofstrains (Cronobacter sakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonasmarginalis, and Microbacterium luteolum) were used to inoculate thetextiles.

Textile Inoculation: Two sets of flasks (Set-1 and Set-2 respectively)were prepared. Set-1 was used to count the bacterial populations andSet-2 was used for odor evaluation. Each set of flasks included threeexperimental flasks, one negative control flask, and one positivecontrol flask (all 50 ml baffled flasks) for a total of five flasks perset.

3.2 g of prewashed swatches (cotton and polyester) were weighed andplaced into each of the 50 ml baffled flasks with 16 ml of LB, coveredwith aluminum foil, and autoclaved at 121° C. for 30 minutes. The flasksand textiles were cooled inside of the laminar hood to room temperature.After cooling, each of the three experimental flasks and the positivecontrol flask for Sets 1 and 2 respectively were inoculated.

Each of the three experimental flasks contained 3.2 g of prewashedswatches (cotton and polyester), and 160 μl of the odorigenic bacterialmixture (Cronobacter sakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonasmarginalis, and Microbacterium luteolum). Each of those threeexperimental flasks was further inoculated with 160 μl of a single odorcontrolling Bacillus suspension (i.e., NRRL B-50141, PTA-7543, andPTA-7549 respectively).

The positive control flask contained only 3.2 g of the prewashedswatches (cotton and polyester), and 160 μl of the odorigenic bacterialmixture (Cronobacter sakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonasmarginalis, and Microbacterium luteolum).

The negative control flask was not inoculated and contained only 3.2 gof prewashed swatches (cotton and polyester) and 16 ml of LB media.

The experimental procedure used above for textile inoculation wasrepeated. The only change in procedure was a substitution in the choiceof media. Specifically, LB media was substituted with Glutamate-SBLmedia to mimic the environmental conditions of a washing machine.

Malodor Generation and Bacterial Populations. Each set of experimentaland control flasks as described above were incubated at 30° C. overnightat 87 rpm. The media was removed under sterile conditions and rinsedwith sterile water for one minute.

In order to compare the populations of odor controlling Bacillus andodorigenic bacteria before washing, after washing, and 7-days postwashing, the following procedure was performed using the flasks fromSet-1 above. Bacterial populations (i.e., odor controlling Bacillusstrains (NRRL B-50141, PTA-7543, PTA-7549) and the odorigenic strains(Cronobacter sakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, andMicrobacterium luteolum)) were compared and counted using the swatchesfrom Set-1. Specifically, the swatches from the flask were transferredto 50 ml Falcon centrifuge tubes. The tubes were filled with 35 ml ofphosphate buffer (Weber Scientific Cat#3127-29) and placed in a tumbleshaker for 30 minutes. The swatches were removed and the tubes werecentrifuged at 5,000 RPM for 10 minutes. The supernatant was discardedand the pellet was resuspended in 1 ml of phosphate buffer. Ten foldserial dilutions were made and plated on SMA and MacConkey media(selected for Gram negative bacterial populations). Plates wereincubated at 30° C. overnight and CFUs were counted and reported in CFUper cm² of textile. To determine the population of odor controllingBacillus, the number of CFU present on the MacConkey media (selectiveonly for the Gram negative odorigenic bacteria (i.e., Cronobactersakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, andMicrobacterium luteolum)) was subtracted from the total CFU from thenon-selective SMA media.

To observe populations of odor controlling Bacillus (NRRL B-50141,PTA-7543, PTA-7549) and odorigenic bacteria (Cronobacter sakazakii;Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, and Microbacteriumluteolum) after washing and after 7-days post-washing, the remnantswatches were washed as previously described (see above: Procedure“Textiles Pre-Washing” and “Textiles Washing”) and the population ofodor control Bacillus was determined immediately after washing accordingto the counting method previously discussed. The washed swatches werecounted again after 7-days. Results provided in Tables 5 and 6 below(results measured by “log control”).

Set 2 was washed as described by the protocol above (see above:Procedures “Textiles Pre-Washing” and “Textiles Washing”). Afterwashing, textiles were transferred to a clean sterile 250-ml Erlenmeyerflask and sealed with aluminum foil aseptically for evaluation for odorby a sensory panel of volunteers.

TABLE 5 Bacterial populations on laundered textiles inoculated withdifferent strains utilizing LB medium and washed with a commercialdetergent. AFTER WASHING AFTER WASHING STRAIN PRE-WASHED (T = 0 DAYS)(TIME = 7 DAYS) ODORIGENIC MIX (OM) + OM = 6.3 × 10⁸ OM = 5.7 × 10⁵ OM =6.9 × 10⁶ NRRL B-50141 NRRL B-50141 = 4.0 × 10⁸ NRRL B-50141 = 8.4 × 10⁵NRRL B-50141 = 5.6 × 10⁶ ODORIGENIC MIX (OM) + OM = 3.4 × 10⁸ OM = 6.3 ×10⁵ OM = 8.3 × 10⁶ PTA-7543 PTA-7543 = 3.5 × 10⁷ PTA-7543 = 4.0 × 10⁵PTA-7543 = 4.0 × 10⁶ ODORIGENIC MIX (OM) + OM = 3.4 × 10⁸ OM = 3.4 × 10⁵OM = 3.4 × 10⁶ PTA-7549 PTA-7549 = 5.5 × 10⁸ PTA-7549 = 3.5 × 10⁵PTA-7549 = 5.5 × 10⁶

As reflected in Table 5, the total number of odor controlling Bacillus(NRRL B-50141, PTA-7543, PTA-7549) and odorigenic bacteria (Cronobactersakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, andMicrobacterium luteolum) were reduced immediately after washing.Populations of odorigenic bacteria and odor controlling bacteriaincreased at 7-days.

TABLE 6 Bacterial populations on laundered textiles inoculated withdifferent strains utilizing Glutamate-SBL medium and washed with acommercial detergent. AFTER WASHING AFTER WASHING STRAIN PRE-WASHED (T =0 DAYS) (TIME = 7 DAYS) ODORIGENIC MIX (OM) + NRRL B- OM = 7.0 × 10⁶ OM= 4.2 × 10⁴ OM = 6.9 × 10⁶ 50141 NRRL B-50141 = 6.7 × 10⁶ NRRL B-50141 =8.4 × 10⁴ NRRL B-50141 = 4.6 × 10⁶ ODORIGENIC MIX (OM) + PTA-7543 OM =6.5 × 10⁶ OM = 3.3 × 10⁴ OM = 6.3 × 10⁶ PTA-7543 = 5.5 × 10⁶ PTA-7543 =4.0 × 10⁴ PTA-7543 = 4.0 × 10⁶ ODORIGENIC MIX (OM) + PTA-7549 OM = 6.0 ×10⁶ OM = 6.4 × 10⁴ OM = 5.4 × 10⁶ PTA-7549 = 5.5 × 10⁶ PTA-7549 = 3.5 ×10⁴ PTA-7549 = 3.5 × 10⁶

As reflected in Table 6, the total number of odor controlling Bacillus(NRRL B-50141, PTA-7543, PTA-7549) and odorigenic mixture of bacteria(Cronobacter sakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, andMicrobacterium luteolum) were reduced immediately after washing.Populations of odorigenic bacteria and odor controlling bacteriaincreased at 7-days.

Sensory evaluation of washed swatches: Flasks from Set-2 were evaluatedfor odor by a sensory panel of volunteers at times 0, 24, 48 and 72hours after washing as described above. The headspace over the wetsamples was evaluated by a sensory panel (9-11 panelists). The odorintensity was evaluated by the following ranking: 0=No Detectable Odor;1=Odor Almost Undetectable; 2=Odor Difficult to Detect; 3=Odor EasilyDetectable; 4=Strong Offensive Odor 5=Sickening Odor. The samples werepresented to the panelist in random order and evaluations were performedone minute between each sample. The time between each panelist was 20minutes. Results provided in Table 7 below show the average scores forodor as determined by the odor panel.

TABLE 7 Average Odor Panel Results for Odorigenic Strains Mix (OM) Aloneand in Combination with Odor Controlling Bacillus Strains TIME POST-OM + OM + OM + WASHING NEGATIVE POSITIVE NNRL- PTA- PTA- (HOURS) CONTROLCONTROL 50141 7543 7549 24 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.6 0.8 48 0.0 3.5 0.8 0.3 0.0 720.0 3.5 1.7 0.9 0.9 (OM) and co-cultivated with odor control (NRRLB-50141; PTA-7543; PTA-7549). Where: 0 = No Detectable Odor; 1 = OdorAlmost Undetectable; 2 = Odor Difficult to Detect; 3 = Odor EasilyDetectable; 4 = Strong Offensive Odor

As reflected in Table 7, the average scores, were the average scorescompiled from an odor panel of volunteers, indicated that the odor ofthe positive control, containing the odorigenic mixture of strains(Cronobacter sakazakii; Pseudomonas veronii; Pseudomonas marginalis, andMicrobacterium luteolum) only, was mitigated by the odor controllingBacillus (NRRL B-50141, PTA-7543, PTA-7549) at 24, 48, and 72 hoursrespectively.

Example 6 Reduced Wash Machine Isolate Biofilm Formation and PlanktonicProliferation in Presence of Bacillus Candidates—Test Tube+CouponBiocontrol (TTCBC)

The following example was conducted to determine whether certain odorcontrolling Bacillus strains (PTA-7543 and NRRL B-50706) are capable ofinhibiting, and/or reducing the formation of biofilms by odorigenic washmachine isolates (ML5-1 [Agrobacterium tumifaciens], EL1-2 [Micrococcusluteus] and EL4-3 [Rhodococcus opacus]).

A polycarbonate holder (Biosurfaces Technology) with three stainlesssteel coupons (Biosurfaces Technology) and 50 ml of Luria-Bertani (LB)medium, (Difco DF241420) made according to label instructions, was addedto nine individual wide-mouth test tubes (VWR cat #100483-220) andautoclaved. Of the nine test tubes, six were experimental test tubes andthree were control test tubes. The first control test tube contained 400μl of a 1:20 dilution of odorigenic wash machine isolate ML5-1. Thesecond control test tube contained 400 μl of a 1:100 dilution ofodorigenic wash machine isolate EL1-2. The third control test tubecontained 400 μl of odorigenic wash machine isolate EL4-3. Dilutions ofML5-1, EL1-2, and EL4-3 were made based on growth kinetics and similarbacterial counts per tube.

The six experimental test tubes were inoculated with an overnightvegetative cell culture of an individual odor controlling Bacilluscandidate and an overnight culture of an individual odorigenic washmachine isolate (PTA-7543 and ML5-1; PTA-7543 and EL1-2; PTA-7543 andEL4-3; NRRL B-50706 and ML5-1; NRRL B-50706 and EL1-2; NRRL B-50706 andEL4-3 respectively). Odor controlling Bacillus candidates (PTA-7543 andNRRL B-50706 were grown in LB for 18 to 24 hours resulting in 10⁸ CFU/mlculture and odorigenic wash machine isolates (ML5-1 [Agrobacteriumtumefaciens], EL1-2 [Micrococcus luteus] and EL4-3 [Rhodococcus opacus])were grown in LB for 18 to 24 hours (appx 10⁶ to 10⁸ culture). The ninetest tubes were prepared in duplicate for sampling at 24 and 48 hoursrespectively.

The tubes were incubated at 30° C. with mild shaking. The initial doseof odor controlling Bacillus cells (PTA-7543 and NRRL B-50706) was inthe range of 3×10³ to 7×10³ CFU/ml and the initial dose of odorigenicwash machine isolates (ML5-1 [Agrobacterium tumifaciens], EL1-2[Micrococcus luteus] and EL4-3 [Rhodococcus opacus]) was in the range of3×10³ to 4×10³ CFU/ml. The odorigenic wash machine isolate to odorcontrolling Bacillus ratios ranged from 1:1.65 to 1:2.18.

At time points 24 and 48 hours into incubation, the tubes weredestructively sampled by scraping each coupon (biofilm cells) intophosphate buffered saline, homogenizing the suspension, then dilutingand plating on MacConkey agar (Difco DF0075-17-1) to enumerate onlyML5-1 or Tryptic Soy Agar (Difco DF236950)+30 μg/L Nalidixic Acid(Sigma-Aldrich cat #N4382-5G) to enumerate only EL1-2 and EL4-3. Thebroth in the tubes (planktonic cells) was also sampled, diluted andplated. Odorigenic wash machine isolate counts in the presence of odorcontrolling Bacillus spp. were compared to negative controls with noodor controlling Bacillus spp. present and the log control of odorigenicwash machine isolate for each odor controlling Bacillus candidate wascalculated at times 24 and 48 hours for planktonic and attached cells.Results provided in Table 8 below.

TABLE 8 Log Control of Odorigenic Isolates WASH MACHINE LOG CONTROL* LOGCONTROL LOG CONTROL LOG CONTROL ISOLATE:BACILLUS 24 HR 24 HR 48 HR 48 HRRATIO PLANKTONIC ATTACHED PLANKTONIC ATTACHED ML5- EL1- EL4- EL1- EL4-ML5- EL1- EL4- ML5- EL1- EL4- ML5- EL1- EL4- STRAIN 1:XB 2:XB 3:XB ML5-12 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 PTA-7543 2.18 1.65 1.72 4.94 4.76 4.18 4.32 4.123.83 4.04 5.73 3.74 3.66 4.68 2.8 NRRL B- 1.13 1.49 1.43 3.40 3.23 3.034.00 2.89 3.07 4.37 4.1 1.19 3.54 4.23 1.46 50706 *LOG CONTROL =LOG(WASH MACHINE ISOLATE ONLY) − LOG(WASH MACHINE ISOLATE IN PRESENCE OFBACILLUS STRAIN)

As reflected in Table 8, the growth of the odorigenic bacteria (ML5-1[Agrobacterium tumifaciens], EL1-2 [Micrococcus luteus] and EL4-3[Rhodococcus opacus]) was inhibited at 24 hours and 48 hours in thepresence of odor controlling Bacillus cells (PTA-7543 and NRRL B-50706).

Example 7 Reduced Wash Machine Isolate Odor Production in Presence ofBacillus Isolates—Test Tube+Stainless Steel Washing Machine ComponentCoupon Luria-Bertani (LB) Medium

The following example was conducted to determine whether certain odorcontrolling Bacillus strains (PTA-7543 and NRRL B-50706) are capable ofinhibiting, preventing, and/or reducing the malodor cause in washingmachines by odorigenic bacteria (ML5-1 [Agrobacterium tumifaciens],EL1-2 [Micrococcus luteus] and EL4-3 [Rhodococcus opacus]).

A polycarbonate holder (Biosurfaces Technology) with three stainlesssteel coupons (Biosurfaces Technology) and 50 ml of Luria-Bertani (LB)medium, (Difco DF241420) made according to label instructions, was addedto nine individual wide-mouth test tubes (VWR cat #100483-220) andautoclaved. Of the nine test tubes, six were experimental test tubes andthree were control test tubes. The first control test tube contained 400μl of a 1:20 dilution of odorigenic wash machine isolate ML5-1. Thesecond control test tube contained 400 μl of a 1:100 dilution ofodorigenic wash machine isolate EL1-2. The third control test tubecontained 400 μl of odorigenic wash machine isolate EL4-3. Dilutions ofML5-1, EL1-2, and EL4-3 were made based on growth kinetics and similarbacterial counts per tube.

The six experimental test tubes were inoculated with an overnightvegetative cell culture of an individual odor controlling Bacilluscandidate and an overnight culture of an individual odorigenic washmachine isolate (PTA-7543 and ML5-1; PTA-7543 and EL1-2; PTA-7543 andEL4-3; NRRL B-50706 and ML5-1; NRRL B-50706 and EL1-2; NRRL B-50706 andEL4-3 respectively). Odor controlling Bacillus candidates (PTA-7543 andNRRL B-50706) were grown in LB for 18 to 24 hours resulting in 10⁸CFU/ml culture and odorigenic wash machine isolates (ML5-1[Agrobacterium tumefaciens], EL1-2 [Micrococcus luteus] and EL4-3[Rhodococcus opacus]) were grown in LB for 18 to 24 hours (appx 10⁶ to10⁸ culture). The nine test tubes were prepared in duplicate forsampling at 24 and 48 hours respectively.

The tubes were incubated at 30° C. with mild shaking. Initial dose ofodor controlling Bacillus cells was in the range of 3×10³ to 7×10³CFU/ml and initial dose of odorigenic wash machine isolate was in therange of 3×10³ to 4×10³ CFU/ml. The odorigenic wash machine isolate toodor controlling Bacillus ratios ranged from 1:1.65 to 1:2.18. At timepoints 24 and 48 hours into incubation, the tubes were destructivelysampled by removing the coupons into a glass jar (Fishercat#02-911-773). The malodor on the coupons in the glass jar acclimatedovernight (approximately 17 hours). The jars were vented one hour beforethe odor panel started and then immediately recapped. The odor panelconsisted of 5 volunteers. Volunteers opened each jar one at a time,smelled the contents, and rated the smell on a scale of 0 to 5; 0 beingno odor, 1=slight odor, 2=weak odor, 3=moderate odor, 4=strong odor, and5=offensive/extremely strong odor. There was a minute wait betweenasking volunteers to rate the smell of each jar. After one volunteerfinished scoring the odors in each jar, there was an hour wait beforethe next volunteer sampled the jars. Results provided in Tables 9-11below show the average scores for odor as determined by the odor panel.

TABLE 9 Average Odor Panel Results for Odorigenic Wash Machine IsolateML5-1 Average Odor Intensity* 24 Hour 48 Hour ML5-1 4.2 4.6 PTA-7543 43.2 ML5-1 + PTA-7543 2.8 3.8 ML5-1 + NRRL B-50706 2.8 2.2 NRRL B-507061.2 1.2 *Odor Intensity: 0 = no odor, 1 = slight odor, 2 = weak odor, 3= moderate odor, 4 = strong odor, and 5 = offensive odor

TABLE 10 Average Odor Panel Results for Odorigenic Wash Machine IsolateEL1-2 Average Odor Intensity* 24 Hour 48 Hour EL1-2 4 4.8 EL1-2 +PTA-7543 3.6 2.2 EL1-2 + NRRL B-50706 3.2 2 PTA-7543 2.2 3.4 NRRLB-50706 2 2.6 *Odor Intensity: 0 = no odor, 1 = slight odor, 2 = weakodor, 3 = moderate odor, 4 = strong odor, and 5 = offensive odor

TABLE 11 Average Odor Panel Results for Odorigenic Wash Machine IsolateEL4-3 Average Odor Intensity* 24 Hour 48 Hour EL4-3 + NRRL B-50706 3.4 2NRRL B-50706 3.4 3.8 EL4-3 + PTA-7543 3.2 3 PTA-7543 3 2.4 EL4-3 2 3.8*Odor Intensity: 0 = no odor, 1 = slight odor, 2 = weak odor, 3 =moderate odor, 4 = strong odor, and 5 = offensive odor

As reflected in Tables 9-11, the average scores, were the average scorescompiled from an odor panel of volunteers, indicated that the odor ofsingle odorigenic wash machine isolates (ML5-1 [Agrobacteriumtumefaciens], EL1-2 [Micrococcus luteus] and EL4-3 [Rhodococcus opacus]respectively), in the presence of odor controlling Bacillus candidates(PTA-7543 and NRRL B-50706) were mitigated. PTA-7543 and NRRL B-50706reduced the odor of ML5-1 at 24 and 48 hours, PTA-7543 and NRRL B-50706reduced the odor of EL1-2 at 24 and 48 hours, and PTA-7543 and NRRLB-50706 reduced the odor of EL1-2 at 48 hours only.

The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scopeby the specific embodiments herein disclosed, since these embodimentsare intended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Anyequivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of thisinvention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition tothose shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are alsointended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. In the case ofconflict, the present disclosure including definitions will control.Various references are cited herein, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference in their entireties.

1-102. (canceled)
 103. A method of inhibiting or preventing theproduction of laundry malodor caused by at least one bacterium capableof causing malodor, comprising contacting a fabric or a laundry washingmachine with at least one microorganism capable of inhibiting orpreventing the production of malodor caused by the at least onebacterium capable of causing malodor.
 104. The method of claim 103,wherein the method comprises contacting the at least one bacteriumcapable of causing laundry malodor.
 105. The method of claim 103,wherein the method comprises contacting an odor generating compoundderived from the at least one bacterium capable of causing odor. 106.The method of claim 103, wherein the contacting is done during a washingprocess.
 107. The method of claim 103, wherein the contacting is done toa new washing machine.
 108. The method of claim 103, wherein thecontacting is done to a washing machine following one or more uses ofsaid washing machine.
 109. The method of claim 103, wherein the at leastone microorganism is at least one species of Bacillus.
 110. The methodof claim 109, wherein the at least one species of Bacillus is selectedfrom the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillusamyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillusatrophaeus, and combinations thereof.
 111. The method of claim 109,wherein the at least one species of Bacillus is selected from the groupconsisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017, Bacillus atrophaeus strainPTA-7792; Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7543; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7546; Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547; Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainNRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014; Bacilluslicheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainNRRL B-50706; and combinations thereof.
 112. A composition adapted forapplication to the interior of a washing machine comprising a carrierand at least one microorganism.
 113. The composition of claim 112,wherein the at least one microorganism is at least one species ofBacillus.
 114. The composition of claim 113, wherein the at least onespecies of Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillussubtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacilluslicheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeus and combinations thereof.
 115. Thecomposition of claim 113, wherein the at least one species of Bacillusis selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilus strain NRRLB-50016; Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7792; Bacillus atrophaeus strainPTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547;Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRLB-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strainNRRL B-50014; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50706; and combinations thereof. 116.The composition of claim 112, wherein the composition is a solid,semi-solid, gel, liquid, aerosol, emulsion, or powder.
 117. Thecomposition of claim 112, which further comprises a surfactant
 118. Thecomposition of claim 112, which further comprises one or more enzymes.119. A method of inhibiting or preventing the production of laundrymalodor caused by bacteria capable of producing odiferous compoundscomprising subjecting the odiferous compounds to at least onemicroorganism capable of using the odiferous compound as a food source.120. The method of claim 119, wherein the at least one microorganism isat least one species of Bacillus.
 121. The method of claim 120, whereinthe at least one species of Bacillus is selected from the groupconsisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacilluspumilus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeus; and combinationsthereof.
 122. The method of claim 120, wherein the at least one speciesof Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus pumilusstrain NRRL B-50016; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017,Bacillus atrophaeus strain PTA-7792; Bacillus atrophaeus strainPTA-7543; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strainPTA-7544; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546; Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547;Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549; Bacillus amyloliquefaciensstrain PTA-7793; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791; Bacillus subtilis strain NRRLB-50136; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399; Bacillus licheniformis strainNRRL B-50014; Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015; Bacillusamyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50706; and combinations thereof.